Podcast appearances and mentions of Victoria Peak

Last time we spoke about the beginning of the Battle of Hong kong. Japan's rise as a threat to British interests accelerated through the 1920s and intensified after invading China. Britain's response remained contradictory—diplomatically conciliatory yet militarily apprehensive. While Singapore and Malaya received substantial reinforcements, Hong Kong was acknowledged indefensible, yet the 1936 Defence Scheme attempted to fortify it as an island fortress. Governor Northcote urgently advocated evacuation, recognizing the futility of defense. London rejected this, fearing it would demoralize China and forfeit sovereignty claims. Reinforcement requests from commanders like Grasett fell on deaf ears until Grasett independently lobbied Canadian leaders. This persistence finally convinced Churchill to dispatch two additional battalions. On December 8, 1941, Japanese forces attacked across three fronts with overwhelming force. Within hours, the RAF was destroyed on the ground, demolitions proved ineffective, and British units rapidly retreated toward the Gin Drinkers Line, facing an enemy that outnumbered and outmaneuvered them from the opening moments.   #217 The Battle of Hong Kong Part 2: the Island Aflame Welcome to the Fall and Rise of China Podcast, I am your dutiful host Craig Watson. But, before we start I want to also remind you this podcast is only made possible through the efforts of Kings and Generals over at Youtube. Perhaps you want to learn more about the history of Asia? Kings and Generals have an assortment of episodes on history of asia and much more  so go give them a look over on Youtube. So please subscribe to Kings and Generals over at Youtube and to continue helping us produce this content please check out www.patreon.com/kingsandgenerals. If you are still hungry for some more history related content, over on my channel, the Pacific War Channel where I cover the history of China and Japan from the 19th century until the end of the Pacific War. Around 1500 hours on 9 December, Colonel Doi of the 228th Regiment arrived at Needle Hill, just north of the Gin Drinkers Line, ahead of his main force. For two hours he studied the British defensive positions through binoculars, noting trenches and bunkers—and to his surprise, washing lines fluttering with white clothes. The sight spoke volumes about the 2 Royal Scots' lax discipline. Then fog descended, reducing visibility to barely twenty meters, and heavy rain obscured the landscape. Doi sensed a fleeting advantage but lost radio contact with his battalions. Worse still, the Shing Mun Redoubt lay outside his regimental boundary, making an unauthorized attack a serious breach of protocol. When his units finally arrived, supporting artillery remained unavailable, held up by demolished roads. Doi chose to attack anyway. Doi ordered the 2nd Battalion to scout the eastern approach while the 3rd Battalion spearheaded the main assault. Major Nishiyana commanded the 3rd, sending Lieutenant Wakabayashi and Kasugai with 150 volunteers to lead. The Shing Mun Redoubt itself comprised five concrete pillboxes and an artillery observation post, connected by underground tunnels named after London landmarks—Piccadilly, Haymarket, and others. The whole complex sat on small rises above Jubilee Dam, then the British Empire's tallest. Defending the redoubt was A Company, 2 Royal Scots, under Captain Jones—just three officers and 39 men. One platoon of 25 soldiers under 2nd Lieutenant Thompson held the forward positions. Against this stood 150 Japanese attackers, with another 1,500 troops in reserve. Battalion orders forbade using the concrete works as fighting positions; they were meant for the Vickers machine-gun team and artillery protection. No mines could spare the redoubt's perimeter. On the night of the 9th, roughly half the defenders sheltered in the observation post while the remainder manned pillboxes 401b and 402. At 2000 hours, Thompson led a nine-man patrol northward to check Needle Hill and Shing Mun Valley. Despite two and a half hours in the field, the patrol returned at 2220 hours without detecting the Japanese force massing just 500 meters away. By that time, Lieutenant Kasugai's assault group had crossed Jubilee Dam undetected, bypassed unmanned Post X, and assembled below Pillbox 401b. At 2200 hours, Japanese sappers cut through two lines of wire. At 2300—H-Hour—Lance Corporal Laird heard movement in the bushes and opened fire. The Japanese answered with grenades and rushed the pillbox lines. One team entered the tunnel system; another hurled grenades through the air vents. Corporal Campbell swung his Vickers toward Pillbox 401, catching Japanese headquarters personnel in the open. Sergeant Robb mustered a counter-attack force of thirteen men. Five fell as casualties—Laird, Basnett, Coyle, Casey, and Jardine. Casey was killed; only Jardine escaped. The alert triggered gunfire from the observation post's defenders, and Forward Observer Wilcox called down 4.5-inch and 6-inch artillery fire. Without strong reinforcement and leadership, four Royal Scots and an Indian sentry abandoned the northern positions and withdrew to the observation post. Captain Jones received orders from Brigade to counter-attack, but delegated the task to Thompson. As Thompson attempted to leave the observation post, he found the gate locked from outside. This calamity had a backstory: just before the attack, Thompson had admitted a civilian at the request of Force 163 (SOE's sabotage unit in Singapore). Private Wylie had taken the observation post key from Lance Naik Kishan Singh and, upon exit, locked the gate behind him. The three officers were now literally locked out of the battle. Second Lieutenant Mochizuki and his platoon infiltrated through open trenches and began attacking the observation post from above, attempting to breach the hatches. The defenders held for three hours before Japanese sappers forced explosives down the air vents. At 0230 hours, the blast killed two Indian signallers inside. Thompson sustained a severe eye wound from grenade shrapnel; Jones and Warrant Officer Mead were both wounded. The remaining fifteen defenders surrendered; eleven became casualties. Meanwhile, a Rajput patrol engaging Japanese forces in the river valley managed to drive them back toward the redoubt. One final pillbox endured for another eleven hours before suffering the same sapper treatment. By 0400 hours on 10 December, the entire redoubt was lost. For just two killed, the Japanese had achieved a decisive victory—the breakthrough that would shift the entire campaign's trajectory. By dawn, a Japanese flag flew triumphantly from Point 255.   Major-General Maltby's assessment was stark: "This was calamitous, for Shing Mun was the key to the whole of the left position." Yet the Japanese perspective differed sharply. Having achieved a breakthrough, Colonel Doi received astonishing orders to withdraw—his success had transgressed into the 230th Regiment's sector and violated the meticulously prepared war plan. Doi refused. After heated confrontation with Major-General Ito and Lieutenant-General Sakai, his insubordination was later censured, though a divisional staff officer, Oyadomani, bore the scapegoat's burden of rebuke for failing to restrain Doi's initiative. With Shing Mun secured, Doi methodically fed reinforcements into the position. Throughout December 10th, the Japanese remained uncertain of their advantage and adopted a cautious strategy, probing British lines to exploit the evident disorder. Brigadier Wallis ordered the Royal Scots to mount an immediate dawn counterattack supported by the Rajputs and artillery. Lieutenant-Colonel White demurred; his battalion lacked any reasonable prospect of success. The resulting counterattack proved half-hearted at best. At first light on December 11th, the Japanese pressed Golden Hill forcefully, only to be repulsed by Captain Newton's Rajputs and gunfire from HMS Cicala. White positioned D Company in shallow shell scrapes and rusted wire—inadequate defenses against Japanese assault. Captain Pinkerton led a desperate bayonet charge that morning, temporarily clearing the Japanese and enabling the evacuation of wounded. Yet B, C, and D Companies absorbed devastating losses; Captains Rose and Richardson fell commanding their positions. With the Royal Scots collapsing, X Company of the Winnipeg Grenadiers and armored support rushed westward to seal the widening gap along Castle Peak Road. Meanwhile, Maltby grappled with alarming reports: Japanese landings on Lantau Island southwest of Hong Kong. Heavy artillery drove them back. A second probe at Aberdeen, where Special Naval Landing Forces approached within 300 yards of the naval base, was repelled by Canadian machine-gun fire. In hindsight, these were mere feints—never intended as the primary thrust. The stratagem succeeded. Maltby retained his island reserves—the Middlesex and two Canadian battalions—precisely where they would be needed. Had Wallis executed a forceful counterattack on December 10th with the Royal Scots and brigade reserves, the Rajputs might have retaken Shing Mun while the Japanese remained disorganized. Instead, Colonel Doi faced a furious Sakai, who had flown down from 38th Division headquarters at Taipo for what amounted to a pre-court-martial examination. The moment passed. After only 48 hours of combat, Maltby concluded the mainland was indefensible. The three battalions would withdraw intact to Hong Kong Island to assume their fortress defense roles. The naval commodore objected—demolitions, supply transfers, and troop ferrying required more time. The evacuation order was deferred 24 hours until noon on December 11th. At that hour, the decision was finalized: the mainland would be abandoned under cover of darkness. Further demolitions followed—the China Light and Power Station, the cement works on Tsing Yi Island, the docks. Yet Brigadier Wallis believed this merely a precautionary measure; he anticipated holding the mainland for at least another week. The withdrawal avoided Kowloon's congested streets, where street fighting and fifth columnists might have entrapped the British—a calculation that proved prescient, as an IJA advance column of 350 men from the 3/230th infiltrated Kowloon on the morning of December 12th to cut off the retreating garrison. The Royal Scots and Canadians retired south to Shamshuipo Barracks and Jordan Road Pier in western Kowloon; the Rajputs and supporting gunners withdrew eastward to Ma Lau Tong, which anchored the fortified Devil's Peak Peninsula. Maltby intended to hold this commanding position permanently—it was easily supplied across the narrow Lyemun Strait. The evacuation proceeded largely as planned. The Canadians and Royal Scots embarked on the afternoon and evening of December 11th under Punjabi covering fire. The Punjabis faced a harder journey—a moonlit scramble along steep Kowloon hills laden with supplies but critically short of mules. One group lost its way at a crucial junction, splitting into two columns. One proceeded toward Devil's Peak as planned; Battalion Headquarters descended into Kai Tak Airport, threaded through Kowloon City, and was evacuated by Star Ferry at Tsim Sha Tsui, fighting until the final moment as the last man boarded. The Rajputs' commander, unable to reach his Punjabi counterpart, abandoned Ma Lau Tong for the closer Hai Wan line near Devil's Peak. By 0400 hours on December 12th, the Punjabis and one Rajput company, accompanied by the gunners of the 25th Medium Battery, crossed Lyemun Strait to Hong Kong Island. Morning evacuations continued with minimal Japanese interference—a surprising restraint. Naval support proved crucial. The withdrawal completed by the morning of December 13th, though 170 mules were lost to the desertion of Chinese laborers—a deprivation that would haunt the subsequent campaign. During this passage, the IJN attempted shore bombardment. The Japanese cruiser and supporting vessels found themselves outranged by the defenders' 9.2-inch guns. The damage inflicted proved sufficient to discourage future naval adventures; for the remainder of the battle, the IJN maintained a cautious distance and played only a peripheral role. The speed and execution of the withdrawal apparently caught the Japanese unprepared. Their most probable expectation had been a full-scale assault on Devil's Peak accompanied by heavy bombardment—a day earlier, an assault without artillery preparation had been driven back with severe losses. The British appeared stronger than anticipated. The defense of the mainland had lasted only five days. With the mainland secured, the Japanese pivoted toward Hong Kong Island. The first move was diplomatic rather than military. At 0900 hours on December 13th, a small boat bearing a white flag crossed the harbor. It carried Colonel Toda, Lieutenant Mizuno, Mr. Othsu Dak, and two European women—the prominent and heavily pregnant Mrs. Macdonald and Mrs. C. R. Lee, wife of the Governor's secretary, accompanied by her two dachshunds. The surrender terms were flatly rejected. Major Boxer delivered the written refusal personally. Mrs. Macdonald remained in Hong Kong to give birth; Mrs. Lee and her dogs returned to Kowloon. The Japanese commenced systematic shelling of selected targets. On December 13th, a 9.2-inch gun on Mt. Davis was silenced; Belcher's Fort sustained damage. The following day, a 3-inch mount on Mt. Davis was hit, killing Chinese gunners and triggering morale collapse; some deserted. On December 15th, the barrage shifted to the northern shoreline, deliberately targeting pillboxes. At 2100 hours that night, approximately three Japanese companies attempted crossing the harbor in rubber rafts toward Pakshawan but were driven off by machine-gun fire. Fifth columnists intensified their operations—signaling with mirrors, sniping from concealed positions, spreading propaganda to encourage Chinese desertion. Their impact might have been catastrophic had not Rear-Admiral Chan and Colonel Yee, armed with tommy guns and grenades, systematically eliminated many of these saboteurs. By December 16th, half the pillboxes between the racecourse and Lyemun Strait lay destroyed. The intended crossing site was unmistakable. On December 17th, the Japanese dispatched a second peace mission—Colonel Toda's team now accompanied by Mrs. Lee with her dachshunds and a pregnant Russian woman. Again, the overtures were rebuffed. On December 18th, the bombardment reached new intensity. Oil storage tanks ignited, sending dense black smoke cascading across the northeast corner of the island—perfect concealment for what was to come. All signs pointed to imminent assault.  I want to note something here, you sometimes hear about how race played a role in the Pacific War and indeed it did. Racist attitudes were found on both the western and Japanese side of the war. There is a fantastic book dedicated to this by the way called, War without Mercy by John Dower, highly recommend it. What is interesting is how these racial attitudes actually affected decision making during the war. Take General Sakai's night amphibious assault for example. Western soldiers such as the Canadians in Hong Kong reported they were told by their commanders that quote "Don't worry about the Japanese, they can't see at night, they all wear glasses" another Canadian soldier wrote in a diary "They don't see well, especially at night we knew this as a matter of fact." Indeed the week before the outbreak of the battle of Hong Kong, Canadian officers attending a briefing by a British officer were informed that "Japan's aircraft were mostly obsolete, its air force had little practice in night flying, and its pilots were myopic and thus unable to carry out dive-bombing attacks". You might be asking yourself, why did they think the Japanese were myopic? The scientific explanation of the day was this "That the Japanese suffered widespread inner-ear damage. What caused this? Japanese motherhood, the practice of strapping babies to their mothers backs, it was explained caused their heads to bounce about, like when they harvested rice and permanently impaired their sense of balance". I particularly love this quote, one of my professors dedicated an entire class to the bizarre racial attitudes before and after the pacific war. There was a belief the Japanese could not see well at night, many western air force commanders actually believed there were times of day like at dawn or dusk where Japanese pilots would not operate because of this hindrance. American military commentator Fletcher Pratt in 1939 analyzed Japan's military strengths and explained it had four major weaknesses. The first was scarcity of resources such as iron, and steel. The second was that the Japanese "can neither make good airplanes nor fly them well" as a result of " the Japanese as a race have defects of the tubes of the inner ear, just as they are generally myopic. This gives them a defective sense of balance, the one physical sense in which an aviator is not permitted to be deficient.". The third was that the Japanese were short-tempered and were inclined to waste men unnecessarily when operations did not go well. The fourth was that the Japanese would simply never date to provoke a war with the US. Again Mr Pratt was an American military commentator whose information came from multiple accounts given by high ranking military officials! The British military maintained that the Japanese avoided night operations on land because they were simply incapable of caring them out well, while they avoided nighttime aerial attacks, as well as dive-bombing for the same reasons Pratt said quote "their pilots were poor and their aircraft inferior.". So take this all to mind when I talk about how certain ranking officers go about making their decisions. By the evening of 14 December, evacuated mainland units had regrouped on Hong Kong Island. The defensive structure was restructured into two brigades: Brigadier Wallis commanded the East Brigade from Taitam Gap, while Brigadier Lawson headed the West Brigade from Wongneichong Gap. This reorganization placed the 5/7 Rajputs across the north-east perimeter, defending over 3,500 metres of coastline with B Company positioned on the hills behind Taikoo Docks. The Royal Rifles of Canada held the north-east corner from Stanley to points south, with reserve positions at Lyemun. Two HKVDC companies supported from Taitam Valley and Pottinger Gap, while the veteran Hughsiliers manned the North Point power station. British and Canadian artillery provided fire support across the northern approaches. The West Brigade held the north-western and south-western shores. The 2/14 Punjab stretched from Causeway Bay to Belcher's Point, protecting Government House and General Maltby's headquarters, with battalion headquarters at Mid-Level. The Winnipeg Grenadiers covered the south-west from Wanchai Gap, with one company detached to the brigade headquarters at Wongneichong Gap. The 2 Royal Scots, severely mauled at Shing Mun, were held in reserve with fresh replacements from the HKVDC. The Middlesex Regiment's companies were dispersed along 72 pillboxes encircling the entire shoreline, while an improvised Z Company of clerks, musicians and cooks defended battalion headquarters at Leighton Hill. Supporting artillery included 9.2-inch and 6-inch guns on Mt Davis and 4.7-inch guns at Belcher's Point. As darkness fell on 17 December, Japanese reconnaissance swimmers reached Taikoo, confirming the crossing site despite detection. Reinforcements arrived: 18 additional heavy bombers from Guangzhou and 26 fighters from Taiwan joined the aerial assault. The crescendo of artillery fire on the 18th, combined with masses of small craft gathering across the harbour, signalled the imminent invasion. Japanese divisional headquarters shifted to Ma Tau Wei near Kai Tak Airport; the 23rd Army moved to Taipo. The invasion force disposed itself with the right flank embarking from east and west of Kai Tak, the left from Devil's Hill area. At 1800 hours, the invasion order was issued; by 1930 hours Sakai himself arrived in Kowloon to oversee the crossing. At precisely 2000 hours, the 2/228th Regiment silently paddled their collapsible craft toward Taikoo Docks and the nearby sugar factory as artillery support commenced. Colonel Doi embarked with 80 headquarters personnel aboard a large barge, leading the second wave. The conditions favoured the invaders—a moonless night, sporadic showers, and thick black smoke from burning oil tanks obscured their movement. They reached the midpoint undetected before searchlights and machine-gun fire scattered the small boats, separating commanders from their units. Despite this chaos, the assault pressed forward. At 2140 hours the artillery shifted to deeper targets; at 2145 hours the first wave of 3/230th landed at North Point, followed minutes later by 2/228th and then 2/229th. Three red flares signalled a successful landing. All six Japanese battalions were ashore by midnight, though wire fencing delayed their advance and Bren carriers added to the confusion on the beach. General Sano arrived at Taikoo one hour later. The 5/7 Rajputs bore the initial brunt of the assault. Despite days of preliminary shelling, the Rajputs mounted a stubborn defence; Japanese casualties mounted rapidly. The anti-tank company suffered so grievously that only a single gun remained operational. The Japanese plan was tactical rather than frontal—bypass isolated positions for later elimination and push rapidly toward high ground. Overwhelmed by numerical superiority and losing most of their officers, Rajput resistance gradually crumbled. Contradicting all evidence, Maltby remained convinced the main Japanese assault would strike directly at Victoria from Kowloon. He therefore withheld the counter-attack, instead dispatching a platoon of Middlesex troops, Royal Marines, naval personnel, and the Rajputs' reserve company—supported by artillery—to establish a defensive line blocking the Japanese advance toward Central District. Three HKVDC armoured cars were sent to protect East Brigade headquarters; two more reinforced the Middlesex battalion headquarters. It was manifestly inadequate against six Japanese battalions. In post-war dispatches, Maltby conceded his grave miscalculation: he believed he faced at most two battalions, not a full division. As the 3/230th broke through D Company of the 5/7 Rajputs, the 2/230th came ashore nearby and wheeled westward toward Victoria. Their advance halted abruptly at the North Point power station, held by an extraordinary force: four officers and 36 men of the HKVDC Hughsiliers Platoon—alongside 39 civilian volunteers from China Light & Power and Hong Kong Electric, including the station manager Vincent Sorby—plus eight Free French soldiers commanded by Captain Jacques Egal, a Shanghai businessman turned soldier. Without exception, these men were World War I veterans, many aged 55 or older. Some had fought in the Boer War. Major J. J. Patterson, the Hughsiliers' commander, had served with Allenby's Camel Corps and been mentioned in dispatches six times; he was chairman of Jardine Matheson and a legislative councillor. Private Sir Edward Des Voeux, 8th Baronet, a millionaire bullion trader and secretary of the Hong Kong Club, had enlisted as a private when deemed too old for mobilization. Private T. A. Pearce, 67 years old, was chairman of J. D. Hutchison & Company and secretary of the Hong Kong Jockey Club. Captain Bruch, the second-in-command, aged 60, chaired a major trading house. The list extended through Hong Kong's business elite, each choosing to fight rather than flee. These old men held an entire regiment at bay. When Patterson called for aid, Maltby dispatched an HKVDC armoured car with a platoon from Z Company, 1 Middlesex, but the reinforcement was ambushed before reaching the station; only nine soldiers, including 2nd Lieutenant Caruthers, broke through. Unable to dislodge the defenders by assault, the Japanese resorted to bombardment. By 0145 hours on 19 December, surrounded and ammunition exhausted, the defenders withdrew to King's Road behind a disabled bus. The Japanese deployed three machine guns, killing or mortally wounding all but Private Geoghan. A Japanese officer, believing all dead, cautiously approached—only to have Geoghan, despite his wounds, surge from cover and charge. He killed the officer and four soldiers before collapsing from wounds. Somehow Geoghan survived. Those old men—civilians and reservists, businessmen and veterans—held the entire western Japanese advance for 18 hours, buying Maltby precious time to withdraw forces and establish a new defensive line. Their stand at North Point became one of the campaign's most improbable acts of defiance. As the 2/229th Regiment advanced southward toward Mt Parker, the 3/229th landed at Aldrich Bay and turned eastward toward Lyemun, where they seized an HKVDC 6-inch gun. Major Bishop of the Royal Rifles of Canada, unaware of the landings, dispatched 15 Platoon under Lieutenant Scott to check on A Company of the Rajputs. Unexpectedly, they encountered armed men in civilian clothes at Lyemun's gate—the first indication of the Japanese presence on the island. Yet senior officers dismissed initial reports of landings and lost positions as exaggerated, a critical miscalculation that proved catastrophic. At Lyemun Fort, the 5th Anti-aircraft Battery of the HKVDC was caught completely unaware and surrendered after minimal resistance. The Japanese then committed one of many atrocities that would characterize the battle, bayoneting 29 survivors. Alerted by 15 Platoon's report, Bishop attempted a counter-attack with two platoons to retake the fort, but the defenders could not scale the six-meter wall and withdrew with nine men killed. As the 2/229th pressed southward toward Mt Parker, they overran the Salesian Mission, which had been converted into an Advance Dressing Station. No. 8 Company of the 2/229th systematized a massacre of medical personnel and the wounded—an atrocity that would later become pivotal evidence at Colonel Tanaka's war crimes trial. Yet amid the chaos, several medical staff and wounded survived to testify: Gunners Y. K. Chan and Martin H. C. Tso of the 5th Battery, Captain Osler Thomas of the HKVDC, Captain Martin Banfill of the Royal Canadian Medical Corps, and Corporal Norman Leath of the Royal Army Medical Corps. C Company of the Royal Rifles, reinforced with captured Japanese machine guns abandoned by fleeing Rajputs, inflicted heavy casualties on the attackers, with one Japanese company suffering over 65 percent losses. Yet overwhelmed by superior numbers and suffering nearly two platoons worth of casualties themselves, the Canadians were forced to withdraw, leaving only a reinforcement platoon under Lieutenant Blaver on Mt Parker. When Captain Clerke arrived at dawn with 16 Platoon to reinforce the position, he found over 100 Japanese already entrenched. With no artillery support and only two platoons available, Clerke had no choice but to withdraw, abandoning Mt Parker to the enemy. By dawn on the 19th, the East Brigade faced catastrophe. Infantry strength had been halved, and losses of artillery were equally devastating. A series of misunderstandings and misinterpreted orders led coastal gun crews at Capes D'Aguilar and Collinson to destroy their own guns in confusion or lose them to the advancing Japanese. Of the entire artillery complement, only one 18-pounder and two 3.7-inch field guns remained operational. Wongneichong—literally "yellow muddy creek" in Chinese—occupies the center of Hong Kong Island, a valley separating the eastern hills (Mt Parker, Mt Butler, Jardine's Lookout) from the western massif (Mt Nicholson, Mt Cameron, Victoria Peak). This narrow gap formed the critical artery linking northern and southern Hong Kong, making Brigadier Lawson's decision to place West Brigade Headquarters there strategically sound yet tactically vulnerable. Recognizing the exposed position after the landings, Major Lyndon had located an alternative site south of Mt Nicholson, scheduled to open the following day. In response to the Japanese landings, Lawson dispatched three platoons of Winnipeg Grenadiers to block the advance. Lieutenant C. D. French took 18 Platoon to Mt Butler, Lieutenant G. A. Birkett's 17 Platoon moved to Jardine's Lookout, and Lieutenant L. B. Corrigan's platoon took the north-west approach to the Gap. As on Mt Parker, both French and Birkett were killed almost immediately, their small forces overwhelmed by battalion-strength enemy forces with artillery support. By morning on the 19th, two battalions each of the 230th and 228th Regiments were pushing for the high ground. The 2/230th rapidly occupied Jardine's Lookout while the 3/230th moved to Mt Nicholson and the 2/228th advanced toward the Gap itself. No. 3 Company of the HKVDC under Major E. Stewart held pillboxes around Jardine's Lookout, while No. 1 Company under Captain Penn defended Taitam Valley with forward positions at Quarry Gap. The pillboxes, despite heavy bombardment, held longer than anticipated—some for as long as 24 hours. Stewart maintained his company headquarters until the 22nd, four days of continuous fighting without adequate ammunition, food, or water. No. 3 Company suffered 80 percent casualties and ceased to exist as a cohesive unit. Realizing that the enemy had penetrated to Mt Butler, Brigadier Lawson decided counter-attack was essential. Major A. B. Gresham of A Company, Winnipeg Grenadiers, was ordered to retake Mt Butler and clear Jardine's Lookout. The Canadians initially succeeded, with Warrant Officer 2 J. R. Osborne leading a bayonet charge, but a strong counter-attack by three Japanese companies drove them back by 2200 hours. The Canadians held firm until 1500 hours, when Gresham attempted surrender despite waving a white flag—the Japanese shot him regardless. In the chaos that followed, a Canadian killed a Japanese officer in response, triggering a grenade barrage. Warrant Officer Osborne caught the grenades and hurled them back as fast as they came, but one landed in an impossible position. Without hesitation, Osborne threw himself on the grenade to save his comrades. This act of supreme self-sacrifice earned him a Victoria Cross—the first Canadian VC of World War II. At dawn on the 19th, Maltby dispatched A Company of the 2 Royal Scots under Captain K. J. Campbell to reinforce the Gap, but they lost all their officers with only 15 men reaching Lawson's headquarters. A group of sailors under Commander A. L. Pears came from the south, but were ambushed en route; only a few reached the Postbridge—a house just south of the Gap—which became an isolated strongpoint. The 3/230th captured the police station perched on a mound at the southern point of the Gap, then swept eastward to seize the anti-aircraft guns of 7th Battery (barely 250 meters from brigade headquarters) and continued uphill toward Taitam Hill to capture additional 6-inch and 3.7-inch guns. Maltby's response was to call down final protective fire from the HKSRA in Happy Valley, inflicting massive casualties on the 3/230th. At 1000 hours on the 19th, Lawson reported that his headquarters was surrounded and he was about to "go outside and shoot it out." Captain H. A. Bush provided covering fire as Lawson and his entire staff, including Middlesex signallers, were cut down by machine-gun fire across the Gap. Lawson's body was discovered two days later halfway up the hill behind his headquarters, dead from a gunshot wound to the thigh. Lieutenant Kerfoot of the 2/14 Punjab with his three Bren carriers arrived minutes too late to save him. IJA who saw the fight made a note stating "he died heroically". At 1330 hours on the 19th, Maltby issued "Operation Order No. 6" calling for a massive counter-attack to commence 90 minutes later. The plan was ambitious: A and D Companies of the 2/14 Punjab were to attack east from Victoria to North Point to relieve the Hughsiliers, while HQ Company of the Winnipeg Grenadiers and the 2 Royal Scots were to attack the Gap and Jardine's Lookout. Eight field guns were promised but never materialized. There was no reconnaissance, no proper orders, and minimal coordination. The Canadians were to rendezvous with the 2 Royal Scots at Middle Gap at 1530 hours, but the Scots were late; the Canadians advanced without them. Captain Pinkerton of D Company, 2 Royal Scots, was ordered at the last minute to attack up Wongneichong Gap Road—the same route A Company had taken only seven hours earlier and been decimated—because it was reported as "lightly held." Captain A. M. S. Slater-Brown led the advance with three Bren carriers and attached engineers, followed by D Company of the Winnipeg Grenadiers. Just as the carriers reached the burnt-out trucks of A Company, they too were ambushed. Mortars and machine-gun fire rained down from Jardine's Lookout, where the Japanese occupied captured HKVDC pillboxes. Slater-Brown and 2nd Lieutenant Bell, the battalion intelligence officer, were killed instantly. The Royal Scots waited in the roadside ditches until 0200 hours before launching an attack on the police station, reaching the steps before Pinkerton was severely wounded. Captain Ford's composite company attack at 0300 hours also failed. Simultaneously, C Company under Lieutenant F. L. Stanier attacked Jardine's Lookout—also unsuccessfully. This series of piecemeal assaults cost the Royal Scots eight officers and 68 soldiers. Growing increasingly desperate, Maltby ordered Major Hodkinson, Officer Commanding HQ Company of the Winnipeg Grenadiers, to attack the Gap and proceed to Mt Parker. Requesting reinforcements from A Company and the Royal Scots, Hodkinson launched his assault with covering fire from Lieutenant Corrigan on Mt Nicholson. The Grenadiers managed to reach Mt Nicholson with only five unwounded men, though Corrigan's group advanced to within 300 meters of the Gap road. Then came an unexpected stroke of fortune: while skirting Mt Nicholson, Hodkinson's group stumbled upon approximately 500 Japanese—probably from the 3/230th—eating lunch without posting sentries. The Winnipeg Grenadiers unleashed devastating fire, inflicting heavy casualties. By 1745 hours, Hodkinson's force was only 100 meters from Repulse Bay Road. With four men and a 2-inch mortar, Hodkinson worked his way to the abandoned brigade headquarters, bringing 20 walking wounded with him. He established a foothold at the Gap, receiving orders to attack the police station at 2200 hours. Two HKVDC armoured cars with Vickers machine guns came in support, but accurate enemy fire disabled both. Like Pinkerton before him, Hodkinson reached near his objective before being severely wounded. For this action of determination and courage, Hodkinson was awarded the Distinguished Service Order. By the morning of the 20th, the Japanese had consolidated control of the Gap, but elements of D Company, Winnipeg Grenadiers, still held various pillboxes north of the position. Initially, 17 and 18 Platoons occupied forward positions with Company Headquarters and 16 Platoon in reserve, positioned across Wongneichong Road almost directly opposite brigade headquarters. Forward positions were rapidly overrun and cut off from the company. They fought without officers until withdrawal to battalion headquarters became necessary. With Captain A. S. Bowman killed and Captain R. W. Philips wounded, command fell to Lieutenant T. A. Blackwood. An attempt by B Company to relieve D Company on the evening of the 20th failed catastrophically, killing all officers and 29 men. With fewer than 50 men remaining—all wounded—Lieutenant Blackwood continued inflicting heavy casualties on the Japanese until 22 December, when exhaustion and the complete absence of ammunition, food, and water forced surrender. D Company killed over 200 Japanese soldiers. Post-war Japanese reports refused to believe that a single company had held the Gap for so long. For their stubborn defense, Philips and Blackwood were awarded the Military Cross, and three enlisted men received the Military Medal. The battle of Wongneichong Gap was characterized by fragmented planning and poor coordination. On the night of the 19th-20th, no fewer than three separate companies attacked the police station, with another company assaulting Jardine's Lookout—all within five hours, all independently organized by local commanders. Had these disparate actions been coordinated into a single simultaneous assault, fortress headquarters' objectives might well have been achieved. By the end of the 20th, the British had lost the vital ground of Wongneichong, though Postbridge House remained as an isolated holdout. For the Japanese, Wongneichong became the single costliest engagement since the invasion began, with over 800 casualties and the regimental commander of the 3/230th seriously wounded. I would like to take this time to remind you all that this podcast is only made possible through the efforts of Kings and Generals over at Youtube. Please go subscribe to Kings and Generals over at Youtube and to continue helping us produce this content please check out www.patreon.com/kingsandgenerals. If you are still hungry after that, give my personal channel a look over at The Pacific War Channel at Youtube, it would mean a lot to me.   Japanese landings on 18-19 December overwhelmed the East Brigade. Brigadier Lawson died defending the vital Gap. Desperate, uncoordinated counter-attacks by British and Canadian troops failed to dislodge the enemy. D Company Winnipeg Grenadiers held the position for four days against overwhelming odds before surrendering. The Japanese suffered 800 casualties but secured this critical strategic ground.

In 1958, Air Force Captain Leonard Fiege, Airman Tom Berlett, and civilian Bill Schriever entered a cave at Victoria Peak, discovering massive, pyramid-shaped stacks of gold bars stamped with Spanish double crosses alongside the remains of 29 human skeletons. Choosing to act honorably and follow proper legal procedures rather than stealing the gold, Fiege and Berlett left the cave untouched. They subsequently hired senior Judge Advocate General (JAG) Corps colonels to form "The Seven Heirs" corporation to legally assert their rights as the discoverers of the treasure.Seeking official permission to complete their recovery, the airmen presented their findings in Washington, D.C., leading the U.S. Secret Service to administer federal polygraph examinations to both Fiege and Berlett on September 5, 1961. Both officers passed without any indication of deception, providing official, government-verified proof that the massive gold cache inside Victoria Peak was real. However, instead of granting legal access, Secret Service Agent Lilburn "Pat" Boggs issued a chilling warning directly to Captain Fiji: "The government will never let you get to the gold".Behind the scenes, federal authorities were already executing a covert extraction. Transcribed phone calls from July 31, 1961, between White Sands Commander Major General John Shinkle, Leland Howard of the U.S. Mint, and Agent Boggs reveal a top-secret military operation set for August 1, 1961, to excavate and seize the gold while strictly barring Fiji and Berlett from the base. Shortly after, a special Pentagon team led by Captain William Orby Swanner inspected, photographed, and inventoried the gold, allegedly shipping portions to Fort Knox without any official public accounting or receiving records.The aftermath exposed a ruthless cover-up designed to erase the discovery and silence all witnesses. Base photographer Charles Abston later recalled seeing General Shinkle personally using a forklift to load heavy, sealed containers into a moving van prior to transferring commands, while Captain Fiji and his family endured decades of relentless death threats whenever he attempted to go public. Episode 12 lays bare how federal agencies used lie detector technology to confirm the reality of the Victoria Peak treasure—only to secretly steal it and threaten the service members who found it.

On June 5, 1963, President John F. Kennedy and Vice President Lyndon B. Johnson made a highly orchestrated visit to White Sands Missile Range. While the official itinerary claimed the 139-minute stop was merely to witness a missile demonstration and inspect an unpaved desert runway known as the Northrup Strip, the reality was far more secretive. The trip—which required nine months of meticulous preparation—was actually an elaborate cover allowing the President and Vice President to personally inspect the Noss treasure at Victoria Peak, located just a five-minute helicopter ride away.Following this secret inspection, a plan was set in motion to settle the decades-long treasure dispute. By November 1963, Ova Noss was waiting at the prestigious Brown Palace Hotel in Denver for a direct meeting with President Kennedy, arranged by Attorney General Robert Kennedy. The plan was for the President to take control of the treasure and finally ensure the Noss family received a fair share. However, on November 22, the tragic news of JFK's assassination in Dallas shattered those hopes. Watching the fateful broadcast, Ova devastatingly realized that once again, getting close to a settlement had been derailed by murder.Even more chilling than the canceled meeting is the military cover-up that concluded just 24 hours before the assassination. During the summer of 1963, the Museum of New Mexico conducted an authorized excavation at Victoria Peak under strict military control. When the museum's archaeologist drafted a truthful report documenting previous military excavations, secret polygraph tests, and Treasury Department involvement, army officials ordered it to be heavily censored. All incriminating evidence was scrubbed from the record, and the falsified report was finalized on November 21, 1963—exactly one day before Kennedy was killed.This episode unravels the haunting six-month timeline leading up to the JFK assassination and explores the dark questions surrounding the military's actions. The censored scientific report didn't just hide past military thefts; it created the plausible deniability that protected Lyndon B. Johnson's upcoming operations. Tune in to discover how the tragedy in Dallas effectively handed the most powerful office in the world to LBJ, paving the way for him to systematically loot the Victoria Peak treasure using military aircraft over the next decade.

In the summer of 1976, an Illinois oilman named Ed Atkins received a tape containing an explosive conversation: former President Lyndon B. Johnson admitting to moving stolen gold from White Sands Missile Range to his ranch in Mexico. Discussing the heist with Fred Drolte, LBJ explicitly detailed using a big plane—later identified as a B-24 Liberator bomber—to transport the gold, cementing the tape as a "smoking gun" of presidential theft. However, after Atkins handed the tape to his lawyer, Daryl Holmes, for safekeeping, Holmes died under mysterious circumstances in 1977. Following his death, the LBJ tape and Atkins' White Sands files were the only items stolen from the lawyer's office.This episode begins to dive deep into the origins of these presidential gold heists, proving the corruption began well before the 1973 Nixon theft. We trace the pattern back to the early 1960s at Fort Huachuca in Arizona, where President John F. Kennedy authorized $10,000 in taxpayer money to fund a treasure excavation. When Ed Atkins and his son John finally gained access to dig at the base years later, they found nothing. A base security guard later revealed the shocking truth: the military had previously cordoned off the area and extracted the gold using military trucks and helicopters.At the center of the Fort Huachuca extraction was Bill Shriver, a civilian operative working under military and CIA supervision. Schriever secretly extracted an estimated 3.5 million troy ounces of gold from Fort Huachuca long before civilian treasure hunters were granted permission to dig, laundering the proceeds through a company called Pyramid Enterprises. In a sworn 1981 affidavit, Schriever confessed that a staggering 11 million troy ounces of gold were taken from Fort Huachuca and Victoria Peak combined, exclusively using military aircraft.The pursuit of this truth came with a deadly price. Less than a year after giving his sworn testimony, Bill Shriver was beaten to death in Los Angeles. Ed Atkins himself had been warned that his entire family would be killed if he didn't stop investigating White Sands, and he later died in 1979 under circumstances a CIA operative suspected was murder. Tune in to uncover how Fort Huachuca established the dark, deadly template for presidential treasure theft that ultimately paved the way for the Victoria Peak heist

Episode 9 plunges into the darkest chapter of the Victoria Peak saga, a chilling period between 1955 and 1963 when the United States military transformed from guardian to thief. Based entirely on the exhaustive, decades-long research of investigative author John Clarence (the pen name of Jack Staley), this episode details the heartbreaking aftermath of Ova Noss's forcible eviction from the Hembrillo Basin. With the claim site now officially a restricted military zone, the Army's actions turned vicious—Ova's beloved horses were left to die in their corral, and her rock house camp was shot to pieces. The family was effectively exiled, but the mountain's secrets could not be contained.The narrative takes a staggering turn in February 1958 when active-duty Air Force personnel, Captain Leonard Fiege and Airman Thomas Berlette, accidentally rediscovered the exact treasure chambers Doc Noss had found 20 years prior. Crawling into a hidden cavern, they were met with stacks of crude gold bars piled like cordwood, ancient artifacts, and the remains of numerous human skeletons. Their astonishing find was later validated when both men easily passed formal military polygraph examinations. However, their attempts to secure a legal claim through official channels only alerted corrupt military brass to the exact location of the unimaginable fortune.With the treasure exposed, the vault guards officially became the robbers. Under the command of Major General John G. Shinkle, the military orchestrated massive, top-secret extractions in the early 1960s, pulling bullion out under the cover of night using chain-gang style operations. To conceal these brazen thefts, the Army sponsored a sham, tightly controlled civilian excavation in 1963, only to deliberately censor the archaeologists' final report. Military officials wiped out all seismic evidence of the caverns and eyewitness accounts of prior military digs, creating a fraudulent public document to support their narrative that the gold was entirely a myth.The episode concludes with a chilling cascade of violence and a heartbreaking missed opportunity. On November 22, 1963, Ova Noss was waiting in a Denver hotel for a scheduled meeting with President John F. Kennedy, who intended to finally resolve her legal ownership of the gold—a meeting that was tragically canceled by his assassination in Dallas. What followed was a grim era of relentless surveillance, death threats, and a string of brutal murders linked to the stolen gold. Tune in to hear how patriotism became a cover for unchecked greed. And remember, if you want to read the definitive account of this incredible saga, you can secure a rare, signed copy of John Clarence's Gold House trilogy by contacting Jeff Crudele directly at podcastjfk@gmail.com

Episode 4 propels us into a chaotic twelve-year period from 1937 to 1949, where the Noss family's dream of extracting the Victoria Peak treasure begins to violently unravel. Based entirely on the exhaustive, decades-long research of investigative author John Clarence (the pen name of Jack Staley), this episode details how the formidable obstacles of World War II, a sprawling military expansion, and Milton "Doc" Noss's own personal demons collided to seal the mountain's riches tighter than a government vault.Desperate for capital following the devastating 1939 shaft collapse, Doc formed the Cheyenne Mining Company, unknowingly appointing a venomous Secret Service informant named Merl Horesman to his inner circle. Matters worsened in November 1940 when a second reckless dynamite charge triggered a massive landslide, completely entombing the gold. As the Noss workforce marched off to fight in WWII, the U.S. Army swallowed up the desolate Hembrillo Basin to create the White Sands Proving Ground. In a truly surreal moment of history, Doc and Ova Noss found themselves barred from their own claim by soldiers just in time to witness the Trinity atomic blast on July 16, 1945—literally standing as spectators at the dawn of the nuclear age while their treasure slipped into military hands.Fearing imminent government confiscation, a deeply paranoid Doc scattered 110 gold bars—weighing roughly 4,000 pounds—across over a dozen secret desert caches. Drifting and desperate, he partnered with a Texas businessman named Charlie Ryan in late 1948. Together, they concocted an elaborate scheme to smuggle the bullion into Old Mexico aboard a surplus DC-3 aircraft, even clearing a secret runway under the guise of a lead and silver mining operation. But the joint venture quickly turned lethal when Doc overheard Ryan plotting to double-cross him and fly the fortune out alone.Tune in to hear how this treacherous web of betrayal set the stage for a frantic, midnight race to dig up and re-hide the gold, leading Doc directly toward a deadly confrontation. And remember, if you want to read the definitive account of this incredible saga, you can secure a rare, signed copy of John Clarence's Gold House trilogy by contacting Jeff Crudele directly at podcastjfk@gmail.com.

Episode 5 takes us deeper into the post-WWII era, where personal betrayal and unprecedented military expansion collide to choke the Noss family's access to the gold. Based entirely on the exhaustive, decades-long research of investigative author John Clarence (the pen name of Jack Staley), this episode explores Milton "Doc" Noss's spiraling paranoia and his prolonged absences from Victoria Peak. In a shocking maneuver, Doc secretly annulled his marriage to Ova in an Arkansas court in October 1945 and later married another woman, a decision that plunged the Cheyenne Mining Company—and the legal rights to the treasure itself—into a chaotic battle for control.While the Noss family fractured from within, the U.S. Army transformed from a neighboring presence into an occupying force. In a truly surreal twist of history, the military utilized the newly formed White Sands Proving Ground to host Operation Paperclip, a top-secret initiative that brought 350 Nazi scientists and captured V-2 rocket components to the New Mexico desert. Even more astonishing are the allegations that stolen Holocaust loot and Nazi gold were covertly brought to the United States under this classified cover and hidden within the very same cave systems as the Noss treasure.As the military initiated condemnation proceedings to seize exclusive possession of the land, a defiant Ova Noss stepped up to legally secure the family's claim, successfully reorganizing the company and filing renewals in her own name. Meanwhile, a drifting and financially desperate Doc formed a fateful partnership with a Texas businessman named Charlie Ryan in late 1948. What began as a front for a lead and silver mining operation was actually an elaborate scheme to smuggle the Victoria Peak gold into Old Mexico using a surplus DC-3 aircraft. However, this volatile alliance quickly soured as Doc's erratic behavior, heavy drinking, and history of swindling pushed Ryan to his breaking point.Tune in to hear how this intricate web of secret marriages, military takeovers, and dangerous smuggling plots set the perfect stage for Doc's tragic demise. And remember, if you want to read the definitive account of this incredible saga, you can secure a rare, signed copy of John Clarence's Gold House trilogy by contacting Jeff Crudele directly at podcastjfk@gmail.com.

In Episode 6, the simmering tensions between Milton "Doc" Noss and his double-crossing partner, Charlie Ryan, finally boil over into a deadly 48-hour window. Based on the exhaustive, decades-long research of investigative author John Clarence (the pen name of Jack Staley), this gripping episode breaks down the frantic, minute-by-minute events of March 4th and 5th, 1949. The chaos begins with a tragic airplane crash at Victoria Peak involving Doc's stepson, Marvin Beckwith, which provides Doc with the perfect cover to slip away from Ryan's watchful eyes without raising suspicion.Knowing that Ryan was planning to steal 110 gold bars and fly them to Mexico without him, Doc seized this momentary distraction to act. Under the cover of a freezing desert night, he enlisted the help of a rodeo cowboy named Tony Jolly. Together, they embarked on a frantic midnight operation, digging up roughly 4,000 pounds of crude gold bullion and scrambling to re-bury the 110 bars across several new, secret caches. By dawn, the gold was safely hidden from Ryan, but Doc had unknowingly set the stage for his own demise.The climax of the episode arrives at noon on March 5th in Hatch, New Mexico. Furious that the gold was missing, Ryan marched Doc into a rented house at gunpoint. Following a chaotic scuffle where Doc shoved a table into Ryan and attempted to flee toward his truck, Ryan shot the unarmed Doc Noss just below his right eye, killing him instantly against his front bumper. With that single gunshot, the man who held the keys to the greatest treasure in North American history was silenced forever.Adding insult to fatal injury, the episode concludes with the staggering mockery of justice that followed. Listeners will be stunned to learn that both the presiding judge and the defense attorney in Ryan's murder trial were actually secret investors in Doc's mining company—a glaring conflict of interest that ultimately allowed Ryan to walk away a free man, despite the testimony of five eyewitnesses who watched him shoot a fleeing man. Tune in to hear the tragic final hours of Doc Noss. And remember, if you want to read the definitive account of this incredible saga, you can secure a rare, signed copy of John Clarence's Gold House trilogy by contacting Jeff Crudele directly at podcastjfk@gmail.com

Episode 7 picks up in the immediate, chaotic aftermath of Milton "Doc" Noss's tragic murder on March 5, 1949. Based entirely on the exhaustive, decades-long research of investigative author John Clarence (the pen name of Jack Staley), this episode shifts the focus to his steadfast wife, Ova Noss, who is left to face a bitter, multi-front war for the Victoria Peak treasure. While Doc's double-crossing killer managed to walk free despite the testimony of five eyewitnesses, Ova soon found herself staring down an even more formidable nemesis: the United States government.Before she could even properly grieve, Ova was plunged into a vicious probate battle. The legal proceedings revealed a shocking secret: Doc had covertly annulled their marriage in an Arkansas court in 1945 and married another woman named Violet. Navigating this heartbreaking personal betrayal, Ova made a brilliant legal pivot on the advice of her attorneys, asserting her rights not merely as a widow, but as the legal co-discoverer of the 1937 treasure. Meanwhile, the probate inventory exposed the terrifying reach of federal authorities, listing seized maps, documents, and dozens of gold bars that had already been confiscated by the Secret Service and the Denver Mint.Refusing to surrender her claim, Ova doubled down on the physical extraction of the gold. She hired contractors to carve a drivable road up the rugged mountain and engineered a new "lower Noss shaft" to bypass the catastrophic 1939 cave-in. But as she inched closer to regaining access to the fabled treasure rooms, the U.S. Army's presence at the White Sands Proving Ground morphed into a hostile occupation. Under the command of Brigadier General George Eddy, the military initiated condemnation proceedings, dismissed Ova's valid state permits, and explicitly threatened Ova and her daughter that they would be "shot on sight" if they returned to the peak.Surrounded by treacherous former partners conspiring to steal her lease and a military apparatus determined to lock her out of her own fortune, Ova stood as a lone David against an impossible Goliath. Tune in to hear how this resilient woman fought to keep her family's massive discovery alive in the face of insurmountable corruption. And remember, if you want to read the definitive account of this incredible saga, you can secure a rare, signed copy of John Clarence's Gold House trilogy by contacting Jeff Crudele directly at podcastjfk@gmail.com.

Episode 8 escalates the bitter war between Ova Noss and the United States military from bureaucratic red tape into outright hostility. Based entirely on the exhaustive, decades-long research of investigative author John Clarence (the pen name of Jack Staley), this episode details how the U.S. Army systematically dismantled Ova's physical access to Victoria Peak. Under the command of Brigadier General George Eddy—who openly displayed a map of the treasure site in his office and explicitly threatened that Ova and her daughter would be "shot on sight" if they returned—the military transformed from a neighboring installation into a hostile occupying force.The climax of this David versus Goliath struggle arrives on July 23, 1955. Despite holding valid state prospecting permits that were not set to expire for another three months, Ova and her excavation crew were forcibly ejected from the Hembrillo Basin without any due process of law. The timing was agonizing, as Ova's crew had just uncovered a diagnostic sign carved into the lower shaft and believed they were only feet away from the treasure. Upon a brief, permitted return to the site shortly after the eviction, the family discovered a heartbreaking and gruesome scene: the military had padlocked their excavated shafts, shot their rock house camp full of bullet holes, and left Ova's beloved horses dead and bloated inside their corral.To survive this onslaught, Ova relied on a complex legal loophole and a dedicated group of allies. While the federal government had condemned the surface of the land to expand the White Sands Proving Ground, the state of New Mexico legally retained the subsurface mineral rights. With the help of loyal contractors, proxy filers, supportive U.S. Senators, and New Mexico Land Commissioner Guy Shepard, Ova managed to keep her legal claim alive on paper. Yet, she found herself fighting a multi-front war, battling not only the Army's brute force and corrupt local politicians, but also facing devastating allegations that her own sons had secretly sold her out for million-dollar payoffs.Tune in to hear how the tragic 1955 eviction officially transitioned Victoria Peak from a private family mining claim into a restricted military vault, perfectly setting the stage for the massive, top-secret government thefts to come. And remember, if you want to read the definitive account of this incredible saga, you can secure a rare, signed copy of John Clarence's Gold House trilogy by contacting Jeff Crudele directly at podcastjfk@gmail.com.

Join me in the greatest wander yet on JFK The Enduring Secret. In one of the most unlikely of story tells, we explore an extraordinary event  that crosses a path with President Kennedy and more importantly, with Lyndon Johnson too.  To understand it's meaning, you must understand it's context. And so, I'm pleased to announce that our  explosive new mini-series uncovering the greatest treasure discovery—and the greatest theft—in North American history will begin tonight. Be patient on this wander, and you will discover an equally  extraordinary story that will both entertain and challenge your thinking related and especially as it relates to President Lyndon Johnson.  This entire series is based on the extensive, decades-long research done by John Clarence (the pen name of Jack Staley), who compiled the definitive and most exhaustively documented account of the Victorio Peak treasure ever assembled. Hidden in plain sight since the 1930s, this saga evolves from a humble family's desert treasure hunt into a dark, true story of unchecked greed, military overreach, and presidential corruption. We bring it to life in podcast form. In early 1937, Milton "Doc" and Ova Noss stumbled upon an unimaginable fortune hidden inside a New Mexico mountain, discovering a cavern filled with stacks of crude gold bars, ancient artifacts, and chilling secrets. But as Ova once warned, "where gold goes, blood flows". The first nine episodes of this series chronicle the Noss family's triumphs and tragedies, culminating in a freezing March night in 1949 when a desperate Doc Noss scrambled to rebury 110 gold bars across the desert. That desperate gamble ultimately resulted in his murder the very next morning at the hands of his double-crossing partner.However, Doc's murder was just the beginning of the conspiracy. After World War II, the U.S. military swallowed the land to build the White Sands Missile Range, forcibly evicting Ova Noss and orchestrating top-secret extractions of the gold under the guise of national security. Uniquely intersecting with our ongoing podcast focus, this saga will eventually reveal how this massive theft reached the highest office in the land, heavily implicating Presidents Lyndon Johnson and Richard Nixon, while casting JFK as a surprising ally to the Noss family. Step inside Victoria Peak before we release the first nine episodes TONIGHT, and be sure to listen to find out how you can secure a rare, signed copy of John Clarence's Gold House trilogy by contacting Jeff Crudele directly at podcastjfk@gmail.com. 

Welcome to the Prelude episode of our explosive investigation into the Victoria Peak treasure—the site of one of the most shocking and massive crimes in American history. Based entirely on the exhaustive, decades-long research of investigative author John Clarence (the pen name of Jack Staley), this series uncovers a conspiracy of unchecked greed and military overreach that stretches far beyond the deserts of New Mexico. It is a story where the very government sworn to protect its citizens became modern-day tomb raiders, ultimately implicating U.S. Presidents Lyndon B. Johnson and Richard Nixon in the theft of billions of dollars in gold bullion.To understand the scale of this monumental heist, we must begin with the original discoverers. In early 1937, Milton "Doc" Noss and his wife Ova unearthed a staggering fortune hidden deep inside Victoria Peak. This forgotten warehouse of history contained crude gold bars piled like cordwood, ancient artifacts, and human skeletons chained to the cavern walls. But as Ova ominously warned, "where gold goes, blood flows". Doc was tragically murdered by his business partner in 1949, and by 1955, the U.S. military forcibly evicted Ova from her legal mining claim, absorbing the land into the highly secure White Sands Missile Range.With the Noss family locked out, the vault guards became the robbers. This prelude outlines the staggering scale of the ensuing government thefts. You'll hear how Major General John G. Shinkle orchestrated covert military extractions in the early 1960s, how Lyndon Johnson allegedly masterminded an international money-laundering operation to steal 257 tons of gold using a remote Mexican ranch and B-24 bombers, and how Richard Nixon sanctioned the theft of another 36.5 tons to manage the unfolding Watergate crisis.Tune in to discover how this breathtaking conspiracy was hidden through falsified reports, political whitewashing, and sheer violence, leaving the Noss family to fight for their rightful claim for generations. And remember, if you want to read the definitive account of this incredible saga, you can secure a rare, signed copy of John Clarence's Gold House trilogy by contacting Jeff Crudele directly at podcastjfk@gmail.com.

Following our prelude, Episode 2 steps back into the dust bowl era to explore the origins of our protagonists, Milton "Doc" Noss and his steadfast wife, Ova "Babe" Noss. Based on the exhaustively documented, decades-long research of investigative author John Clarence (the pen name of Jack Staley), this episode delves into Doc's complex past as a part-Cheyenne foot doctor whose lifelong obsession with treasure was sparked by a childhood encounter with the Apache chief Geronimo and a crude, ancient map received from a patient.Before the monumental find at Victoria Peak, Doc and Ova successfully unearthed a sizable cache of gold and artifacts in the Caballo Mountains in early 1937. However, their early pursuits were overshadowed by Doc's struggles with alcohol and his proximity to the chilling "Caballo Gold Vanishing"—a 1935 unsolved double murder of two Illinois couples. Though Doc was cleared, the tragedy ensnared him in a relentless web of false accusations fueled by a bitter adversary, eventually forcing the couple to pivot their search to the desolate Hembrillo Basin.The climax of this episode arrives on November 7, 1937, when a routine deer hunting trip changed history forever. Seeking a better vantage point, Doc stumbled upon a hidden ventilation shaft matching his crude map, plunging deep into Victoria Peak. Descending into the treacherous, ancient caverns, Doc and Ova discovered a "forgotten warehouse of history" containing an estimated $22 million in crude gold bars piled like cordwood, conquistador artifacts, a gold crown, and the macabre remains of chained human skeletons.However, this unimaginable wealth instantly thrust the Noss family into a perilous legal minefield against the federal government, clashing with the Gold Reserve Act of 1934 and drawing the intense scrutiny of federal authorities. Tune in to experience the breathless moment of discovery that ignited a decades-long war for the gold. And remember, if you want to read the definitive account of this incredible saga, you can secure a rare, signed copy of John Clarence's Gold House trilogy by contacting Jeff Crudele directly at podcastjfk@gmail.com. 

Following the monumental discovery detailed in our last episode, Episode 3 plunges deep into the treacherous caverns of Victoria Peak. Based entirely on the exhaustive, decades-long research of investigative author John Clarence (the pen name of Jack Staley), this episode chronicles the perilous efforts of Milton "Doc" and Ova Noss to extract their newfound fortune—and the intense paranoia that soon consumed them.Navigating broken ancient ladders and toxic, blistering bat guano, Doc slowly retrieved the first pieces of the horde in the spring of 1938. What he found was staggering: crude gold "cactus" bars piled like cordwood, a gold crown, ancient artifacts, and the chilling remains of chained human skeletons. But with unimaginable wealth came immediate danger. Rumors of the discovery triggered kidnapping threats that forced the family to temporarily flee to Gallup, New Mexico. Doc's extreme caution reached a fever pitch, fueled by the trauma of a prior kidnapping where his captors had savagely burned the bottoms of his feet attempting to extract the location of another gold cache.The situation turned catastrophic in 1939 with two devastating blows. In August, a hired engineer set off an excessive dynamite charge, causing a massive landslide that sealed the main treasure shaft under tons of rock. Desperate for capital to clear the debris, Doc took a massive gamble in the fall of 1939 by taking four or five gold bars to the Denver Mint. Though the bars were officially assayed at $97,000, the Mint confiscated the bullion and issued a "hold certificate," refusing to pay Doc unless he revealed the exact location of the remaining treasure.This brazen confiscation confirmed Doc's deepest fears that the federal government intended to seize his entire fortune. It thrust the Noss family into a perilous legal war against the Gold Reserve Act of 1934 and drew relentless, around-the-clock surveillance from both the Secret Service and the FBI. Tune in to hear how the dream of Victoria Peak quickly devolved into a nightmare of dynamite, deception, and government overreach. And remember, if you want to read the definitive account of this incredible saga, you can secure a rare, signed copy of John Clarence's Gold House trilogy by contacting Jeff Crudele directly at podcastjfk@gmail.com

This week, I’m joined by Liam, who shares the story of his beautiful wedding to his husband Calvin at Nocton Woolshed in Clevedon. After meeting during the COVID lockdown era and later moving to Sydney together, Liam and Calvin planned a wedding that felt completely true to them. Relaxed, intentional, emotional, and focused on the people they love most. Sign up for ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠THE LOVE LETTER BY LYDIA RACHEL⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, a fortnightly note from me with wedding inspiration, podcast highlights, real weddings I’m capturing, and a few things I’ve been loving. We chat about:

Watch Us On YouTube! Announcing a new, ongoing benefit for annual subscribers of our Slack community. Annual subscribers receive a free Points Path Alerts subscription OR a 30% discount on Points Path Pro. It finally happened — Spirit Airlines is gone. This week on Miles To Go, Ed and Richard break down what the shutdown of Spirit Airlines means for travelers, employees, and the broader airline industry. From emotional final flights to stranded passengers scrambling for alternatives, the ripple effects are already being felt — and the response from other airlines hasn't exactly made things easier. So-called "rescue fares" sound helpful in theory, but in practice, they've offered limited relief for travelers trying to rebook last-minute trips. They also explore the bigger picture: what losing a major low-cost carrier means for competition, pricing, and access to travel — especially for families and budget-conscious flyers who relied on Spirit to make trips possible. Meanwhile, Delta is dealing with operational issues of its own, with an unusual spike in cancellations and reliability concerns that highlight how fragile airline operations can be. Plus, real-world travel frustrations — from rideshare chaos at Newark to the rising cost of simply getting to the airport — and why the overall travel experience keeps getting more expensive and more complicated. Get hydrated like Ed in Vegas with Nuun Use my Bilt Rewards link to sign-up and support the show! If you enjoy the podcast, I hope you'll take a moment to leave us a rating. That helps us grow our audience! If you're looking for a way to support the show, we'd love to have you join us in our Travel Slack Community.  Join me and other travel experts for informative conversations about the travel world, the best ways to use your miles and points, Zoom happy hours and exciting giveaways. Monthly access Annual access Personal consultation plus annual access We have witty, funny, sarcastic discussions about travel, for members only. My fellow travel experts are available to answer your questions and we host video chats multiple times per month. Follow Us! Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/milestogopodcast/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@milestogopodcast Ed Pizza: https://www.instagram.com/pizzainmotion/ Richard Kerr: https://www.instagram.com/kerrpoints/ ✈️ What We Cover in This Episode   ✈️ What We Cover in This Episode ✈️ The end of Spirit Airlines Final flights and emotional send-offs What happens to employees and crews Why Spirit mattered more than people realized ✈️ The real impact on travelers Families and budget travelers losing affordable options Trips that simply won't happen anymore Why competition matters for pricing ✈️ "Rescue fares" that don't really help Limited availability and restrictive windows United, Delta, American vs JetBlue approaches Why this was a missed opportunity ✈️ Airlines scrambling to fill the gap JetBlue adding routes immediately Frontier and Breeze stepping in What happens to key markets like Fort Lauderdale ✈️ Delta's operational struggles Spike in cancellations compared to competitors Staffing and reliability concerns A noticeable shift from Delta's usual performance ✈️ Empty planes and shifting demand Surprisingly light loads on recent flights Capacity cuts vs soft demand What this could signal for pricing ✈️ The rising cost of travel $130 rides to the airport Why logistics are getting more expensive The hidden costs beyond airfare ✈️ Airline cost-cutting trends Cutting drink service on short flights Potential cuts to premium amenities How airlines are squeezing margins ⏱️ Episode 435 Timestamps  0:48 – Intro and quick travel recap 4:00 – Newark rideshare chaos and rising costs 7:52 – Points Path win: saving 60,000 miles 10:37 – Spirit Airlines officially shuts down 11:17 – Rebooking chaos and lack of real "rescue fares" 13:30 – Why airlines missed a big opportunity 15:57 – Empty flights and surprising demand trends 18:50 – Airlines moving quickly to replace Spirit routes 21:29 – Fort Lauderdale and shifting airline strategy 29:53 – Delta's cancellation spike and reliability issues             ⏱️ Episode 432 Timestamps 0:48 – Welcome back & rough week recap 5:20 – Planning the Hong Kong trip 10:00 – Upgrade strategy and long-haul flight experience 15:00 – Victoria Peak and how it's changed 20:00 – Big Buddha and Lantau Island experience 25:00 – Hong Kong Disneyland highlights and tips 30:00 – Comparing Hong Kong to past visits 35:00 – Why Hong Kong feels different today 38:30 – 6 flights in 3 days: brutal travel run 43:00 – Airline Wi-Fi failures vs Starlink success

Watch Us On YouTube! Announcing a new, ongoing benefit for annual subscribers of our Slack community. Annual subscribers receive a free Points Path Alerts subscription OR a 30% discount on Points Path Pro. Hong Kong, airline chaos, and one very rough travel week (scroll down for timestamps)! This week on Miles To Go, Ed and Richard are both back home — barely — after a pair of intense travel stretches. Ed recaps a family trip to Hong Kong, including Disneyland, Victoria Peak, and the Big Buddha… but also shares a deeper take on how the city feels different than it did years ago. From cultural shifts to increasing Westernization, it's a thoughtful look at a destination many travelers still have on their list. Meanwhile, Richard breaks down a whirlwind three-day, six-flight trip across the U.S. — complete with altitude sickness, broken Wi-Fi, and a reminder of why mileage-run style travel isn't as fun as it used to be. Plus, a surprising bright spot: Starlink Wi-Fi that actually works — and why that's becoming more important than ever. Get hydrated like Ed in Vegas with Nuun Use my Bilt Rewards link to sign-up and support the show! If you enjoy the podcast, I hope you'll take a moment to leave us a rating. That helps us grow our audience! If you're looking for a way to support the show, we'd love to have you join us in our Travel Slack Community.  Join me and other travel experts for informative conversations about the travel world, the best ways to use your miles and points, Zoom happy hours and exciting giveaways. Monthly access Annual access Personal consultation plus annual access We have witty, funny, sarcastic discussions about travel, for members only. My fellow travel experts are available to answer your questions and we host video chats multiple times per month. Follow Us! Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/milestogopodcast/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@milestogopodcast Ed Pizza: https://www.instagram.com/pizzainmotion/ Richard Kerr: https://www.instagram.com/kerrpoints/ ✈️ What We Cover in This Episode ✈️ A Hong Kong trip with mixed impressions • Why the city feels different than before • Cultural shifts and changing traveler experience • Where it still shines (and where it doesn't) ✈️ Victoria Peak and modern Hong Kong tourism • A much more built-up, commercial experience • Unexpected Western influence at the top • When iconic attractions lose some authenticity ✈️ The Big Buddha and Lantau Island • Cable car experience (and aviation geek bonus views) • What makes it worth the trip • How to plan tickets and avoid long waits ✈️ Hong Kong Disneyland review • What's unique vs U.S. parks • Best rides and surprises • How to maximize your time (and money) ✈️ A tale of two Disney experiences • Classic Disney confusion vs top-tier service recovery • When things go wrong… and then very right • Why Disney still stands out operationally ✈️ Hong Kong vs the rest of Asia • Comparing to Japan and Taipei • Where it ranks today • Why you may want to visit sooner rather than later ✈️ A brutal multi-city travel run • 6 flights in 3 days across the U.S. • The realities of work travel logistics • Why these trips hit harder than they used to ✈️ Altitude, exhaustion, and travel fatigue • Aspen altitude effects (and a rough night) • Why travel stacking can backfire • Lessons for planning better trips ✈️ Airline Wi-Fi: still broken • Multiple flights with no connectivity • Why this matters more than ever • The real cost of losing a workday ✈️ Starlink shines where others fail • First impressions from regional jets • Streaming, reliability, and performance • Why this could change airline competition ⏱️ Episode 432 Timestamps 0:48 – Welcome back & rough week recap 5:20 – Planning the Hong Kong trip 10:00 – Upgrade strategy and long-haul flight experience 15:00 – Victoria Peak and how it's changed 20:00 – Big Buddha and Lantau Island experience 25:00 – Hong Kong Disneyland highlights and tips 30:00 – Comparing Hong Kong to past visits 35:00 – Why Hong Kong feels different today 38:30 – 6 flights in 3 days: brutal travel run 43:00 – Airline Wi-Fi failures vs Starlink success

Hong Kong was the final stop on our month-long journey through Asia, following our cruise from Hobart to Singapore. For Scott, it was a return after nearly 20 years. For Melissa, it was a first visit. What we both discovered was a city that felt surprisingly familiar, efficient, and easy to navigate. In this episode, we explore Hong Kong through its world-class public transportation system, share our memorable food experiences, reflect on cultural familiarity, and balance the intensity of the city with a day at Disney. Some links are affiliate links. See our disclosure. Help Support the Podcast by Buying us a Coffee ☕️ In this episode, you'll discover: Why Hong Kong felt far more familiar than expected—despite major political changes How Hong Kong's public transportation compares to London's Underground Riding the MTR, the iconic Star Ferry, and the historic “ding ding” trams Why the tram ride to Victoria Peak is a must-do (especially at night) Navigating the city easily using the Octopus card vs. tap-to-pay A memorable first-night meal at a Michelin-star Cantonese restaurant—and why it felt universal A reminder that shrimp really does show up in everything in Asia Experiencing Hong Kong Disneyland as a cultural contrast to the city Why character meet-and-greets were busier than ride lines at the park How locals approach Disney differently, especially when it comes to photos and costumes Where they stayed and why location matters in a fast-moving city A Sunshine Travelers advisory on staying at the Conrad Hong Kong How many days you really need in Hong Kong—and when to add an extra day Real-world travel hiccups and why patience is an essential packing item Why Hong Kong turned out to be the perfect place to end a long journey Resources & Links You can buy Disneyland Hong Kong Tickets here, and then you download the Disneyland Hong Kong app, load your ticket, and then make a park reservation for the day you want to visit. Keep your electronic park ticket handy, though, because you'll need it to scan into the park Hear our Full Recap of Disneyland Hong Kong Here: Episode 149 - Disneyland Hong Kong: Everything You Need to Know Before You Go: Our Experience Want curated travel deals every week? Subscribe to Travel Deal Insiders — the best travel deals sent straight to your inbox. Get Our Ultimate Packing Guide for Traveling Smart and Packing Light + Access to Exclusive Weekly Content here. Don't waste your precious vacation time with Jet Lag, get Flykitt and watch Jet Lag disappear! Protect your privacy, boost your security, and keep your browsing data safe with Express VPN. Plus, get 3 months free with a yearly plan. Follow Sunshine Travelers Listen on Apple Podcasts | Spotify | YouTube Read more about this and other travel destinations on our BLOG Follow our travels on TikTok @sunshinetravelerspodcast Follow us on X @sunshinetrvlrs Connect with us on LinkedIn @sunshinetravelerspodcast Get travel tips and follow our travels on Instagram: @sunshinetravelerspodcast Follow us on Facebook @sunshinetravelerspodcast Connect with us on Threads @sunshinetravelerspodcast Connect with us on Threads See our travel videos on YouTube @sunshinetravelerspodcast Save our travel ideas on Pinterest @sunshinetravelerspodcast Music: This Acoustic Happy Music by Dmitrii Kolesnikov from Pixabay

Viajé a China y Hong Kong para conocer de cerca cómo se hacen los negocios, cómo funcionan las ferias tecnológicas más importantes del mundo y cómo es realmente la vida en esta parte del planeta

Hong Kong combina rascacielos futuristas, templos históricos y paisajes naturales. Los viajeros disfrutan del skyline desde Victoria Harbour, los mercados callejeros, la gastronomía local y los festivales tradicionales como el Año Nuevo Chino. Lugares como Victoria Peak, Lantau Island y el Man Mo Temple ofrecen experiencias culturales y naturales únicas. Su transporte eficiente facilita explorar la isla y sus alrededores, haciendo de Hong Kong un destino vibrante y diverso para todo tipo de viajeros.

learn about a fascinating view in Hong Kong

Join me on The Radio Vagabond podcast as I explore Hong Kong's top 7 tourist hotspots for an unforgettable adventure. From the vibrant streets of Lan Kwai Fong to the breathtaking views from Victoria Peak, each destination offers a unique experience. Dive into the non-stop party at Lan Kwai Fong, ascend to Victoria Peak for jaw-dropping views, and experience the sensory extravaganza of Temple Street Night Market. Find tranquillity at the Tsim Sha Tsui Promenade, unleash your inner child at Hong Kong Disneyland, and soar above Lantau Island with Ngong Ping 360. Finally, sail through the heart and soul of Hong Kong aboard the iconic Star Ferry. For more travel inspiration, check out The Radio Vagabond podcast 

Join me on The Radio Vagabond podcast as I explore Hong Kong's top 7 tourist hotspots for an unforgettable adventure. From the vibrant streets of Lan Kwai Fong to the breathtaking views from Victoria Peak, each destination offers a unique experience. Dive into the non-stop party at Lan Kwai Fong, ascend to Victoria Peak for jaw-dropping views, and experience the sensory extravaganza of Temple Street Night Market. Find tranquillity at the Tsim Sha Tsui Promenade, unleash your inner child at Hong Kong Disneyland, and soar above Lantau Island with Ngong Ping 360. Finally, sail through the heart and soul of Hong Kong aboard the iconic Star Ferry. For more travel inspiration, check out The Radio Vagabond podcast 

Die Sieben-Millionen-Stadt Hongkong ist sehr bergig. Das Höhenniveau reicht vom Meeresspiegel bis zu rund 550 Metern auf dem Victoria Peak. Vom Stadtzentrum in Richtung Peak sind viele Häuser und Hochhäuser mitten in den Berg gebaut. Zwar hat man dort einen atemberaubenden Blick, aber um dort hochzukommen, braucht man zu Fuß viel Energie, vor allem im heißen und schwülen Sommer. Oder man nimmt einfach die Rolltreppe, so wie Benjamin Eyssel. Er war auch unterwegs auf der Brücke nach Macau, während sich Eva Lamby-Schmitt auf eine kulinarische Reise durch China gemacht hat.

Art Seeker Stories: A postcard from Hong Kong,  Day 2&3 : My artist journey and travels as an art seeker, a culture vulture, a 20 something trolly dolly. My diary edit, nostalgically looking back, 22 years to the day - today. I go on a walk about on Hong Kong Island, stepping into the view beyond my hotel room window, from Victoria Harbour to Victoria Peak. I find a Golden Conquest, art from Thailand and China and some prized pets in Kowloon. 22 years later, I'd love to revisit as Hong Kong Art, takes central stage - This last year sees The New M+ Museum and The Palace Museum open in commemoration of the 25th anniversary of the handover of Hong Kong. Although  Art hasn't come without its difficulties due to the impact of Hong Kong's national security law imposed on Hong Kong by the Chinese government in 2020.Names and Places, notes: Victoria Harbour and Peak.At Cental Art Scene China showing work by Morgan (Xiao Guo Fu) and Du XinjianGaleria Asia :  ‘Salute to Summer' Painting 'Golden Conquest ' Thai Artist Niti Wattuya. KowloonMongKok, Market placeHong Lok Street, Bird GardenWould Like to visit:Hong Kong Art Basel , Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition CentreM+ Museum Hong Kong Palace Museum

Paul has over 25 years' experience as an economic and political strategist. He founded View from the Peak in 2011, seeing a need for a truly global, multi-asset class research platform that focuses on the interactions between public policy, economic trends, technology, and geopolitics. View from the Peak takes its name from Victoria Peak, the highest point on Hong Kong Island and the firm aims to look at the world from a 360-degree view with an Asian perspective. Prior to that he traded under trading legends like Bruce Kovner and Louis Bacon!

Welcome to the Instant Trivia podcast episode 386, where we ask the best trivia on the Internet. Round 1. Category: All The Rave 1: You can camp overnight at the Global Gathering Weekend Rave near Stratford-upon-Avon in this country. England. 2: This Black Rock Desert event hasn't had an official rave since 1996, but nuzzle a speaker and feel the fire's glow. Burning Man. 3: In 1999 the Love Parade drew 1.5 million ravers to this once-divided European capital. Berlin. 4: Harvest is a faith-bass'd rave off the Andrew Johnson Highway in this state. Tennessee. 5: Find a mate in Victoria at the Earthcore Global Carnival in this country. Australia. Round 2. Category: Lawn Care 1: Use the manure or fertilizer mixture called "top" this, even though it sounds like it goes on your salad. "dressing". 2: If your lawn has these protrusions, don't make mountains out of them:. Molehills. 3: Measuring alkalinity or acidity, test this 2-letter quality of your soil. pH. 4: Hunter Industries claims its PGP Rotor, this type of product, revolutionized the lawn irrigation industry. Sprinkler. 5: For healthy plant growth, consider an NPK fertilizer, standing for nitrogen, phosphorus and this element. potassium. Round 3. Category: Where The "H" Are We? 1: Parker Ranch,Kilauea Volcano,Monument to Captain Cook. Hawaii. 2: Victoria Peak,Kai Tak Airport,Kowloon Shangri-La Hotel. Hong Kong. 3: Lake Balaton,Bela Bartok Memorial House,Buda Concert Hall. Hungary. 4: Senate Square,Mannerheim Museum,Sibelius Park. Helsinki. 5: The Malecon,Morro Castle,Revolution Square. Havana. Round 4. Category: Arachnids 1: Insects have compound ones; arachnids have simple ones. eyes. 2: This arachnid with a "paternal" name emits a bad odor when disturbed. daddy long-legs. 3: As a group, spiders have 7 different types of glands to produce this fiber. silk. 4: This stinging arachnid has 6 pairs of jointed appendages: 1 pair of pincers, 1 pair of large claws and 4 pairs of legs. scorpion. 5: This parasite is a major transmitter of rabbit fever and some forms of encephalitis. tick. Round 5. Category: World Myths And Legends 1: The Japanese pantheon includes Kagutsuchi, god of this, something to get your hibachi going. fire. 2: If you needed a railway tunnel dug, you could call on this American folk hero -- it was his job. John Henry. 3: Jewish legend says his first wife was Lilith, who created the need for a good divorce lawyer. Adam. 4: The life of this legendary king of Britain was fodder for a Shakespeare tragedy in 1605. King Lear. 5: When he fell for Helen, Paris was married to Oenone, one of these nature deities. nymph. Thanks for listening! Come back tomorrow for more exciting trivia!

Welcome to the Instant Trivia podcast episode 321, where we ask the best trivia on the Internet. Round 1. Category: "Rocky"S 1: [Audio Daily Double] Musical featuring "Dammit Janet" and the following: It's astounding Time is fleeting. Rocky Horror (Picture) Show. 2: In the 1930s William Dreyer mixed chocolate ice cream, almonds, and marshmallows to create this. rocky road. 3: He realized that "going the distance" would prove he "wasn't just another bum from the neighborhood". Rocky Balboa. 4: Sporting a pilot's helmet and June Foray's voice, he debuted in November, 1959 on ABC. Rocket J. Squirrel (Rocky the Flying Squirrel). 5: In a Beatles' song, he "checked into his room, only to find Gideon's Bible". Rocky Raccoon. Round 2. Category: Homophonic Duos 1: 2 Bartletts make up this couple. pear pair. 2: Biblical killer's walking sticks. Cain's canes. 3: Consumed an octet. ate eight. 4: To forcefully grab small oceans. seize seas. 5: The stuff breathed by the designated successor to the king. heir air. Round 3. Category: Where The "H" Are We? 1: Parker Ranch,Kilauea Volcano,Monument to Captain Cook. Hawaii. 2: Victoria Peak,Kai Tak Airport,Kowloon Shangri-La Hotel. Hong Kong. 3: Lake Balaton,Bela Bartok Memorial House,Buda Concert Hall. Hungary. 4: Senate Square,Mannerheim Museum,Sibelius Park. Helsinki. 5: The Malecon,Morro Castle,Revolution Square. Havana. Round 4. Category: The Titanic 1: 2 of these towered over the deck and were used as flagpoles and to string the wireless aerial. masts. 2: The Titanic carried plenty of these, 3,560, but many passengers died wearing them in the 28-degree water. lifejackets. 3: This happened between the third and fourth funnel, a fact no one knew until the Titanic was found in 1985. it broke in half. 4: The first warning of the iceberg came at 11:40 P.M. from Fred Fleet, the lookout in this platform high above the deck. the crow's nest. 5: You can still see the crane to lower these; the starboard and port ones weighed 9 tons, the center one, 17 tons. anchors. Round 5. Category: The Twin Cities 1: One of St. Paul's architectural highlights is this 1905 building with a marble dome. Capitol Building. 2: Ya sure, go to Minneapolis' Park Avenue to visit the institute devoted to this ethnic group. Swedes. 3: The Twins and Vikings play in the Metrodome, named for this politician. Hubert H. Humphrey. 4: Word for the pedestrian shopping area of Nicollet Avenue, less imposing than this nearby one "of America". Mall. 5: In Minneapolis' name, polis is Greek for "city" and minne is an Indian word meaning this substance. Water. Thanks for listening! Come back tomorrow for more exciting trivia!

Taking a weekend road trip, the perils of driving slightly tired in the past and the dangers of hiking for the gram.Content warning: mentions of suicide.Fiumelatte: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fiumelatte_(river) Sea cliff bridge: https://www.visitnsw.com/destinations/south-coast/wollongong-and-surrounds/stanwell-park/attractions/sea-cliff-bridgeDeaths at the illegal hike: https://www.illawarramercury.com.au/story/5676722/thrillseekers-taking-selfies-at-site-of-sea-cliff-bridge-tragedy/Dragon Back hike: https://www.discoverhongkong.com/anz/explore/great-outdoor/dragons-back.htmlVictoria Peak: https://www.thepeak.com.hk/enGeorgie's hike in Kaliurang: https://hey.georgie.nu/kaliurang/Zion National Park / Angel's Landing: https://utah.com/zion-national-park/angels-landing / https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Angels_Landing

Are Hong Kong's days as a major financial centre now numbered? The end of the pandemic has seen renewed economic growth. But some say tough anti-Covid rules and anti-protest laws are undermining what was once Asia's leading financial hub as thousands of people leave the territory. Ed Butler speaks to Edward Shin, a HK hedge fund manager who's now temporarily moved to Canada following the security crackdown. Tara Joseph, President of the American Chamber of Commerce in Hong Kong tells him recruiting foreign workers into the territory is now proving much harder. Vera Yuen, a business lecturer at the University of Hong Kong, says wealth management services for the Chinese are providing big growth for territory. And Mike Bird, the Hong Kong correspondent of the Economist magazine says both the Covid restrictions and the national security law may start to really hurt Hong Kong in the longer term. ( Pic: Sunrise at Victoria Peak,Hong Kong Credit: Jun Chen / Getty)

Overview of episode In Episode 75, Chris and Baz meet up to “Fly The Flag” for P&O Australia, Answer two listener questions and discuss the latest cruise news.Support the show - Buy Me a CoffeeThis podcast is only possible thanks to our supporters, simply buying a coffee keeps us on air. It is just like shouting your mate a coffee, and we consider our listeners close mates.  https://bit.ly/2T2FYGXListener Questions & Maritime HistoryLiz asks about any tips for overcoming or preventing sea sickness / motion sickness?Chris asks about the history and significance of the Boston Cup (also known as the Britannia Cup) onboard QM2Image Credit: Boston Cup (also known as Britannia Cup) by Chris Frame - https://www.chriscunard.com/history-fleet/the-boston-cup/Itinerary of the WeekLe Boat – Self Drive Boating Holiday – Venice, ItalyLe Boat: https://www.leboat.com.au/Le Boat, Boats: https://www.leboat.com.au/boatsItinerary: https://www.leboat.com.au/boating-holidays/italy/veniceFurther Details: most good travel agents or ask le boat to recommend a good agent in your area. Cruise News from Previous WeekAzamara Makes its Return to South Africa this WinterMSC Magnifica to offer Winter City Getaways in Northern EuropeViking launches first China cruises Viking has kicked off its inaugural China coastal cruise from Shenzhen with Chinese-flagged ship YiduanPonant has launched Le Commandant CharcotBreak Free with NCL and Celebrate a New Era in CruisingVirgin Voyages' Scarlet Lady Hits The High Seas For An Epic MerMaiden VoyageP&O Cruises Australia Launches Spectacular 28-Night ‘Australian Explorer' Itinerary Delivering Opportunity to Cruise Connected OperatorsCarnival Cruise Line Announces Ship Restarts For January & February 2022Explora Journeys celebrates construction milestone for second ship, Explora II Latest Cruise NewsCancelled sailings – Royal Caribbean InternationalSTATEMENT FROM ROYAL CARIBBEAN INTERNATIONAL: SYDNEY, Oct. 14, 2021A clear pathway for the return of foreign flagged ships and cruising in general is yet to be established by governments in Australia. Due to this, Royal Caribbean has made the decision to cancel all sailings on Ovation of the Seas from Sydney, 13th Dec. 2021 through 31st Mar. 2022.We know many of our guests look forward to a return to cruising and we regret the inconvenience this may cause. Booked guests and travel partners impacted will be contacted with further details.As Australia opens up, we are committed to progressing the proactive conversations with federal and state governments on recommencing cruising in Australia and hope to provide an update soon.Captain Kate McCue to take helm of Celebrity Cruises' Celebrity Beyond From the Edge to Beyond: Highly Anticipated Ship Debuts April 2022Exciting news, as Celebrity Cruises President and CEO Lisa Lutoff-Perlo announced Captain Kate McCue, the first American female cruise ship captain, will take the helm of Celebrity Beyond, the company's third ship in its industry-transforming Edge Series debuting in 2022. The dynamic and decorated captain will usher in a new era for the new-luxury brand, sailing a ship brought to life by a dream team of modern lifestyle icons including multi-award-winning British designer Kelly Hoppen CBE; celebrated American designer Nate Berkus; the culinary gifts of Michelin-starred chef and restaurateur Daniel Boulud; and featuring wellness experiences and products from goop CEO and founder Gwyneth Paltrow, the brand's Wellbeing Advisor. For Captain Kate, the seed to be a captain was planted following a cruise the then-12-year-old McCue took with her family. She told her father that she wanted to be a cruise director when she grew up. His advice to her was that she could do anything she wanted, including captaining the ship. Since that time Captain Kate has been a pioneer and trailblazer, breaking the gender barrier in 2015 when Lutoff-Perlo named her to be the first — and still only — American female to captain a major cruise ship – Celebrity Summit. She moved to Celebrity Equinox before being appointed to helm the exquisite Celebrity Edge® in September 2019. On 8 March, 2020, McCue further cemented her place in the history books when she captained the history-making, barrier-breaking sailing on Celebrity Edge that comprised a cruise ship's first-ever all-female bridge and officer team. Captain Kate also led the Celebrity fleet – and the industry – back into operation when, on 26 June, 2021, Celebrity Edge became the first cruise ship to sail with guests from a U.S. port in more than a year due to the global Coronavirus pandemic.Celebrity Beyond will not only hold the title of the largest ship in the fleet, but the distinction as the brand's most luxurious vessel.Celebrity Beyond stands at 17 decks high and 21 meters longer than her innovative predecessors Celebrity Edge (2018) and Celebrity Apex (2020). Every element of Celebrity Beyond's look and feel has been carefully curated with newly imagined spaces and expanded versions of the brand's popular signature spaces, includingMajestic Princess Maiden Call to San Francisco is First Cruise Ship Visit Since Global Industry PausePrincess Cruises, celebrated its return to San Francisco with the maiden call of Majestic Princess, the first cruise ship to visit the City by the Bay since the industry global pause of operations. Guests onboard Majestic Princess experienced the iconic attractions of San Francisco during a port call on a seven-day Classic California Coast voyage, sailing roundtrip from Los AngelesLong-time partners from the Port of San Francisco welcomed Princess Cruises back, recognizing the beneficial financial impact to local businesses.Majestic Princess offers a MedallionClass vacation, delivering the ultimate in effortless, personalized cruising. It begins with OceanMedallion™, a quarter-sized, wearable device that enables everything from touch-free boarding to locating loved ones anywhere on the ship, as well as enhanced service like having whatever guests need, delivered directly to them, wherever they are on the ship.Princess Cruises Announces Ship Restarts for February, March and April 2022Princess is announcing plans for additional ships return to service in the United States for February, March and April 2022 sailing from Los Angeles, Seattle, Vancouver and Ft. Lauderdale.Starting between February 13 and April 22 cruises onboard three additional Princess MedallionClass™ ships will take guests to the Caribbean, Hawaii and the California Coast. Crown Princess, Island Princess and Royal Princess join the eight Princess ships scheduled to restart in 2021, representing 79 percent of Princess' ship capacity.Crown Princess: On February 13, Crown Princess will join Majestic Princess and Grand Princess for sailings from Los Angeles to the California Coast and Hawaii. Then, Crown Princess will position to Seattle to sail on a couple of Pacific Northwest Coastal voyages and to Hawaii. Crown Princess will also add another Alaska departure with a new 8-day Inside Passage cruise with Glacier Bay starting on April 29, 2022.Island Princess: Travels to the Caribbean starting March 6, from Ft. Lauderdale on a 14-day, 10-day and series of 7-day cruises to the Southern, Eastern and Western Caribbean.Royal Princess: California Coast sailings from Vancouver beginning April 8, 2022.Koningsdam Marks Holland America Line's Return to West Coast Cruising with First Sailing Departing Today from San DiegoWaving flags, cheering team members and a “Welcome Home” sign greeted guests as they joined Holland America Line's Koningsdam at the Port of San Diego today for the cruise line's first West Coast departure since the start of the industry-wide pause.The Pinnacle Class vessel is the largest Holland America Line ship to be sailing from the West Coast, and Oct. 10 is the first in a series of 23 seven-day cruise to the California Coast or Mexico that run through April 3, 2022.In addition to Koningsdam, Zuiderdam also will sail roundtrip cruises from San Diego on longer Mexico explorations, a grand monthlong voyage to Tahiti, and Panama Canal departures. Eurodam and Nieuw Amsterdam each make one call in spring 2022.About Holland America Line in San Diego:Holland America Line has been homeporting out of the Port of San Diego since the 1990s. For the upcoming 2021-2022 season, the cruise line will bring more than 81,000 guests to the city, which will result in more than $35 million in direct spending.Operationally, each ship visit directly contributes $364,000 to the local economy in provisioning (fuel, food, flowers, piano tuning, supplies), port taxes, and spending. When Koningsdam and Zuiderdam call at San Diego, both ships will be using shore power, reducing the ships' carbon footprint.Throughout the years, Holland America Line has been actively involved with more than 30 nonprofits in San Diego County through giving, shipboard lunches and cruise donations, including La Jolla Playhouse, San Ysidro Health and Girl Scouts San Diego With half its U.S. fleet back in service and sailing from six U.S. homeports – the most in cruising – Carnival Cruise Line has had an accomplishment-filled three months since resuming guest operations this summer.The company's restart began on July 3, 2021 when Carnival Vista set sail from Galveston and since then 10 additional ships have resumed service, carrying 237,000 guests from homeports along the East and West Coasts and the Gulf of Mexico all while guests were devouring nearly half a million Guy Fieri burgers and enjoying 11,000 adrenaline-fueled rides on BOLT, the first roller coaster at sea that debuted on the new Mardi Gras July 31, 2021.But it's more than just burgers and roller coaster rides, Carnival's resumption of service has provided much-needed vacations to hundreds of thousands of loyal guests, a boost to the economies in its homeport and port-of-call communities and opportunities for its shipboard team members to support their families in 120 countries around the worldCarnival Cruise Line has announced plans to have 17 ships back in guest service by the end of 2021, with additional ships returning in January and February and the entire U.S. fleet back in guest operations by spring 2022.MSC Cruises receives green light to restart cruises in Brazil and South Africa  The Cruise Division of MSC Group has confirmed cruise resumption in Brazil, following the green light from local health authority Anvisa for the resumption of cruise sailings in the country following a 20-month hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic.Three of MSC Cruises' biggest and most innovative vessels are set to operate in Brazilian waters between November 2021 and March 2022.MSC's return to Brazil is further evidence of the phased restart that saw the Company lead the cruise industry's resumption in August 2020 in the Mediterranean.  It also aligns with MSC Cruises' long-established leadership in the country that will see the extension of its fleet's continued deployment into this season with the reopening of an important market.MSC Preziosa, MSC Seaside and MSC Splendida will homeport in Brazil.  This will be MSC Seaside's first ever season in the country.Separately, the Cruise Division of MSC Group also welcomed the decision by the South African government that cruise ships will be able to operate this coming season of 2021 in-line with national health protocols following the industry's shutdown in 2020 as a result of the pandemic ashore.The Company is now waiting for the government's additional specific guidelines for the resumption of cruises for South African holidaymakers and it will soon reconfirm the schedule of cruises planned for the season 2021/22.MSC Cruises currently has 12 ships operating across the world with plans for up to 15 to be in operation for the 2021 season (November 2021 and March 2022).MSC Cruises adds second ship for World Cruise 2023MSC Cruises has revealed that a second ship, MSC Magnifica, will be joining MSC Poesia on the MSC World Cruise 2023. The two ships in an industry first will host over 5,000 guests for a journey around the world and they will both depart on 4 January from Civitavecchia and 5 January 2023 from Genoa, Italy, for simultaneous world cruises, albeit taking different routes around the globe.MSC Magnifica will replicate the very same itinerary that was supposed to be performed by MSC Poesia for the MSC World Cruise 2022. Unfortunately, the decision has been taken after careful consideration and assessment, to cancel the 2022 World Cruise. It would not have been possible to carry it out due to there being too many ports facing restrictions as a result of the pandemic.MSC Poesia and MSC Magnifica will set sail together in 2023 with embarkation in Civitavecchia (4 January) and Genoa, Italy (5 January), Marseille, France (6 January 6) and Barcelona, Spain (7 January). This will be a very special celebratory moment for our guests on the two ship as they prepare to set sail around the world.Once they cross the Mediterranean Sea, the ships will part ways in the Atlantic Ocean. MSC Magnifica will circumnavigate South America, cross the South Pacific Ocean then on to the Indian Ocean, the Arabian Sea, the Red Sea and then through the spectacular Suez Canal back into the Mediterranean Sea.MSC Poesia on the other hand, will transit the Panama Canal and travel up the West Coast of Central America and North America whilst moving on to the Pacific Ocean and then an extended period in Asia. Crossing the Indian Ocean, the ship will then return to the Mediterranean via the Suez Canal.MSC Flagship, MSC Seashore's Naming Ceremony to take place at Ocean Cay Marine Reserve MSC Cruises revealed that their latest flagship, MSC Seashore will be officially named at Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve in The Bahamas on 18 November, making this the first Naming Ceremony for a cruise ship to be held at a private island. The event will be attended by travel advisors and media as well as other key Company stakeholders. Departing Miami on 17 November, invitees will be able to get a first look at the new ship –  the newest and most innovative vessel to be deployed out of Miami this coming season – before she starts her inaugural 7-night cruise and U.S. season on 20 November and make the most of the endless on board entertainment, different activities as well as an incredible choice of bars and restaurants.Azamara Unveils 2023 and 2024 Itineraries, Spanning Every Corner of the GlobeAzamara – the boutique cruise line dedicated to Destination Immersion experiences – is pleased to unveil 39 new itineraries across its four-ship fleet for 2023 and 2024. This latest deployment will take Azamara guests to every corner of the world, with each ship embarking in a different location: Azamara Pursuit® in South Africa, Azamara Quest® in South America, Azamara Journey® in Australia and Asia, and Azamara OnwardSM in the Mediterranean and Caribbean regions. Azamara's winter voyages will also feature several new shore excursions, pre- and post- cruise land programs, and AzAmazing Evenings®, all designed to bring guests deeper into the heart of each destination and spark a sense of wonder as travelers explore the unique culture of each city.xclusive to Azamara and offered during late-nights and overnights in port, the brand's signature AzAmazing Evenings are designed to connect guests to the local culture of a destination and are uniquely tailored to each location. Highlights of the AzAmazing Evenings include:The Living Past of the Amazon: In Manaus, Brazil, guests will discover the living past of the Amazon Rainforest. The four-part show entitled, “North Symmetry. The Glorifications of Nature in the Amazon,” will take guests on a journey from pre-Columbian indigenous civilizations to modern times. Through native dances, rituals, and traditional folklore music, guests will be educated on some of the mysteries of Amazon culture.Traditional Korean Art Performances: In Busan, South Korea, watch as multiple traditional Korean art forms are combined to create a spectacular show. Enjoy NANTA, one of the most famous non-verbal performances in Korea, which combines Korean folk and modern music to create a unique yet familiar experience; Korean dance performed while wearing the traditional Hanbok; and Taekkyeon, a traditional Korean martial art that uses fluid, rhythmic movements to strike an opponent, all in one captivating performance.Italian Arias Performed by Società Filarmonia: In Ravenna, Italy, listen to brilliantly composed, classic arias made popular by internationally renowned opera singer Maria Callas. The arias will be directed by Alfredo Barchi and performed by Società Filarmonia, which was established in 1998 to bring together diverse musical experiences, skills, and emerging talents.Azamara continues to reaffirm its commitment to Destination Immersion® with a diverse selection of new shore excursions. Highlights from the new shore excursions include:Santarém, Brazil: In the city known as the “Pearl of Tapajós” for its location at the merging of the Tapajós and Amazon ricers, cruise through Maica Lake and enjoy stunning views of the Amazon Basin. Guests will spot local inhabitants, many species of birds, and possibly even the unique Amazon river mammal, a fresh water pink dolphin (Boto Cor-de-Rosa). Dakar, Senegal: Join some of the most well-known Senegalese chefs from the region's local culinary school for a cooking tutorial. Guests will learn how to make signature Senegalese dishes followed by a meet and greet with the head of the culinary school to discuss cooking tips and techniques. The afternoon will conclude with a delicious lunch and recipes to take home to cook Senegalese dishes. Tinos, Greece: Spend the afternoon with a renowned Greek chef for a food and wine pairing with island products, like local cheeses such as Tinos Graviera and the king of the cheeses, Kopanisti, a soft cheese with a distinct peppery-hot taste. Indulge in local wines made from Assyrtiko grapes for white wine and Mavrotragano for the red. Island-grown fruits and vegetables, such as sun-dried tomatoes, pears, artichokes, and capers, will also be enjoyed. For travelers looking to explore the destination beyond their voyage and immerse themselves ever further, highlights of the pre- and-post-cruise land programs include:Stay Local in Hong Kong (two-night): Explore the dynamic city of Hong Kong, stopping at the famous Victoria Peak for panoramic views of Kowloon and the surrounding islands, the tranquil Nan Lian Garden – designed in the Tang Dynasty-style with hills, water features, trees, rocks, and wooden structures – and go to the top of the 100th floor of the tallest building in Hong Kong. Additional highlights include a traditional Dim Sum lunch, a visit to Wong Tai Sin Temple, where locals go to pray for good health, and shopping for art products in Stanley Market. Experience China's Treasures (four-night): From The Great Wall of China to charming local markets, journey through the ancient wonders and cultural riches of the region. Guests will explore the lakes, pavilions, and pagodas of the Summer Palace, known as the best-preserved royal garden in the world; learn how to make Chinese dumplings with the locals of Hutong, the oldest residential area in Beijing; and visit the Terracotta Army Museum, home to a collection of terracotta sculptures depicting the armies of China's first Emperor, who are buried with him to protect the emperor during his afterlife.Windstar Cruises Takes Delivery of Star Pride in Palermo, ItalyWindstar Cruises has taken delivery of its all-suite Star Plus Class Star Pride today at Fincantieri's shipyard in Palermo, Sicily, Italy. The yacht is the third and final of the line's Star Plus Class yachts to be stretched and transformed over a multi-year, $250 million project that is considered to be the most complex and comprehensive renovation project ever undertaken in small ship cruising.Star Pride will remain in Italy until the yacht resumes guest operations in April in the Mediterranean. Sister yacht Star Breeze begins sailing in Tahiti next week, while Star Legend is completing a short season in the Mediterranean before sailing to the Caribbean in November.All three yachts increased in maximum capacity from 212 guests to 312 and now provide more of what Windstar's customers want, like additional dining experiences (one is an outdoor barbecue concept with grilling guru Steven Raichlen and the other a Spanish small plates restaurant from Anthony Sasso, one of the youngest chefs to be recognized by the Michelin Guide), a true spa and fitness center, an elegant infinity pool, and more outdoor deck areas. These three all-suite yachts, together with Windstar's three classic sailing yachts, remain small enough to continue to visit the special small ports and waterways of the world.In addition, due to the pandemic, Star Pride and all of Windstar's yachts received renovations to update HVAC systems, adding new hospital grade high-efficiency particulate (HEPA) filters along with a UV-C air zapping process (ultraviolet germicidal irradiation) to clean the air on board.Viking Announces Newest Ocean Ship and Three New ItinerariesViking today announced its newest ocean ship, Viking Saturn, will join the company's award-winning fleet in early 2023. The 930-guest sister ship will spend her maiden season sailing three new itineraries in Scandinavian and Nordic countries, including two 15-day journeys, Iconic Iceland, Greenland & Canada and Iceland & Norway's Arctic Explorer, and the 29-day Greenland, Iceland, Norway & Beyond voyage. In addition to the three new itineraries, Viking also announced today that the company will bring back the popular 8-day Iceland's Natural Beauty itinerary starting in August 2023.New and Returning 2023 Nordic Itineraries:Iconic Iceland, Greenland & Canada (NEW) – This 15-day itinerary spans Iceland, Greenland and the Canadian provinces of Newfoundland and Nova Scotia. Sailing between New York City and Reykjavik, guests will admire the volcanic landscape of the Westman Islands, enjoy the relaxed pace of life in Djúpivogur, and stroll the streets of picturesque towns like Seydisfjördur and Akureyri.Iceland & Norway's Arctic Explorer (NEW) – On this 15-day journey, guests will discover life in the far north during a voyage across the Arctic Circle and along the distant shores of Norway and Iceland. After enjoying an overnight stay in Viking Saturn‘s home port of Bergen, follow the footsteps of Vikings as you visit Honningvåg's remote North Cape and explore Longyearbyen, which is home to more polar bears than people.Greenland, Iceland, Norway & Beyond (NEW) – Guests can also choose to combine these two new itineraries for an epic 29-day voyage. Departing from the former Hanseatic League city of Bergen, guests will trace the path of Vikings through the Scandinavian countries of Norway, Iceland and Greenland before making their way to Canada and concluding in New York.Iceland's Natural Beauty – Returning in 2023, this popular 8-day roundtrip journey from Reykjavik explores the majestic shores of Iceland. Sailing on Viking Star®, guests will encounter unparalleled natural beauty, witness cascading waterfalls and pristine fjord landscapes. Follow in the footsteps of the intrepid explorer Leif Eriksson, observe the local wildlife and immerse yourself in nature.Viking Saturn – Viking's ocean ships have a gross tonnage of 47,800 tons, with 465 staterooms that can host 930 guests. Viking's award-winning ocean fleet includes Viking Star®, Viking Sea®, Viking Sky®, Viking Orion®, Viking Jupiter® and Viking Venus®. Viking Mars® and Viking Neptune® will join the fleet in 2022; Viking Saturn will join in early 2023. Classified by Cruise Critic as “small ships,” Viking's ocean fleet features modern Scandinavian design with elegant touches, intimate spaces and attention to detail. Captain Cook Cruises release their sailings to 2024Captain Cook Cruises have released their schedule for Reef Endeavour small ship cruises exploring some 90 of the reefs, beaches and islands in the Fiji group over 4 unique 3 to 11 night itineraries through to March 2024.  The schedule also includes a brand new 7 night Discovery Cruise to the Lau & Kadavu in addition to the 11 night Lau experience.While Fiji's borders were closed, the Reef Endeavour has operated cruises for local residents. The new 7 night Lau & Kadavu Discovery cruise in April sailed with a full complement of lucky Fiji locals and was so popular the company decided to add the new cruise to their regular schedule.The schedule includes special cruises over Christmas and New year to the Mamanuca & Yasawa islands, 3 weeks of cruising to these beautiful islands every month from January 2022 plus a monthly remote Discovery cruise on selected dates on one of 3 incredible itineraries; the 7 & 11 night Lau & Kadavu, the 7 night Remote North Discovery cruise to Levuka, Savusavu & Taveuni and the 7 night 4 Cultures Discovery cruise circumnavigating Vanuabalavu.Disney Cruise Line Announces Return to Favorite Tropical Destinations in the Bahamas, Caribbean and Mexico in Early 2023In early 2023, Disney Cruise Line will return to top tropical destinations in the Bahamas – including Disney's private island, Castaway Cay – as well as the Caribbean and the Mexican Riviera, delighting guests of all ages with one-of-a-kind vacations at sea. A variety of enchanting itineraries will set sail coast-to-coast from U.S. home ports including Miami and Port Canaveral, Florida; New Orleans; Galveston, Texas; and San Diego.Bookings open to the public on Oct. 21, 2021.Disney Cruise Line Unveils New Experiences for Kids, Tweens and Teens Aboard Disney WishA high-tech starship on a mission to assist the Resistance. A nautical playground where little cadets train with the most magical captains at sea. A hip hangout with an ultra-exclusive VIP list.With the addition of Star Wars: Cargo Bay, Mickey and Minnie Captain's Deck and The Hideaway, Disney Cruise Line completes an unrivaled roster of new and reimagined experiences for children of all ages coming to the Disney Wish in summer 2022. More than just highly themed spaces, these kids' clubs will transform into living worlds through magical entertainment presented with the care and expertise of Disney-trained counsellors.Disney's Oceaneer ClubChildren ages 3 to 12 will step into their favorite Disney worlds at Disney's Oceaneer Club, a real-life wonderland featuring more stories than ever before. Previously announced spaces include Marvel Super Hero Academy, a high-tech facility for training the next generation of heroes; Fairytale Hall, a royal trio of activity rooms inspired by Rapunzel, Belle and “Frozen” friends; and Walt Disney Imagineering Lab, a unique opportunity for kids to discover the secrets of world-renowned Disney Imagineers. Rounding out Disney's Oceaneer Club are two brand-new spaces – Star Wars: Cargo Bay and Mickey and Minnie Captain's Deck. New Adventures at Star Wars: Cargo BayThe peculiar creatures and legendary characters of the Star Wars galaxy will take center stage at Star Wars: Cargo Bay. This first-of-its-kind immersive experience will place kids in the important role of creature handlers as they learn to manage a mischievous menagerie of exotic beings from across the galaxy, including a porg, Loth-cat, worrt and more. Throughout the cruise, they'll use augmented reality-enabled datapads to track and study the creatures on a series of special assignments. But there's more to this job than meets the dianoga eye: The new crew will actually be joining an important mission to deliver a pair of secret stowaways, Rey and Chewbacca, back to the Resistance.During the interactive “Star Wars: Creature Challenge” experience, the newly minted caretakers will be put to the test as they help feed the lifelike creatures and encounter some of the most dangerous beings in the galaxy. When things go awry, they'll need to call on the expertise of Rey and Chewbacca — and even channel the Force — to secure the ship from destruction.A Celebration of Exploration at Mickey and Minnie Captain's DeckSpecially designed for the youngest sailors at Disney's Oceaneer Club, Mickey and Minnie Captain's Deck is a nautical playground inspired by the colors, icons and magic of Disney Cruise Line. This brand-new space will be filled with an array of maritime-themed physical and sensory-style games and activities, such as pipe slides and crawl-throughs, ship's wheels, “busy boxes” fashioned as ship controls and cushy life preserver seating areas.When little cadets enter the space, they'll set sail on a fun-filled adventure and enjoy quality play time with Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse themselves. At select times throughout the voyage, the space will be open to little ones' families for group play, and the toddlers from It's a Small World Nursery will also get dedicated access to the club to explore, learn and play with Mickey and Minnie.  The signature experience will be “Minnie's Captain Academy,” a high-energy training session for kids to exercise their bodies (through playful games, dancing and maritime “drills”) and their minds, testing their imagination and ingenuity during a series of challenges tied to STEAM principles (science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics). Captain Minnie will inspect their progress and officially declare them honorary captains!Quality Play Time with Super Heroes, Princesses and “Frozen” FriendsAt Disney's Oceaneer Club, kids will have more opportunities than ever to have fun with Disney characters during expertly developed games and programs – and when characters stop by, they will stay to play. Like “Star Wars: Creature Challenge” and “Minnie's Captain Academy,” each space will offer uniquely interactive, memorable experiences that are exclusive to Disney Cruise Line.At Marvel Super Hero Academy, young recruits will join a hands-on training session with Ant-Man and The Wasp, who will teach them how to create and test their very own Pym Particles, the technology that allows these heroes to shrink and grow objects (and themselves).Also at Marvel Super Hero Academy, kids will team up with the masterminds from Pym Technologies and Wakandan Design Group — including a special appearance by Black Panther — to thwart Taskmaster's evil plan to hack into the academy's system and steal the world's most advanced hero tech.When the hub of Disney's Oceaneer Club transforms into the Snuggly Duckling tavern from Walt Disney Animation Studios' “Tangled,” kids will have the best day ever with Rapunzel and Flynn Rider as they embark on a scavenger hunt to recover the missing pieces of the Snuggly Duckling sign.In Belle's Library, children will use their imaginations to create the most daring, hilarious, fantastical new story for their favorite booklover. Belle will lend her wits and her magic mirror to help determine the characters, plot and conclusion of the brand-new tale.At Anna and Elsa's Sommerhus, the newest citizens of Arendelle will join a special celebration of Queen Anna's recent coronation by acting out the history of how she became queen — taking on the roles and iconic movie moments of characters like Anna, Elsa, Olaf, Kristoff, Hans and more — before the queen, her sister and their snowman friend show up to join the fun.More Fun for Disney's Coolest CruisersOlder kids will chill and play in their own way aboard the Disney Wish at trendy hangouts that combine sophisticated design with youthful Disney touches. At Edge, tweens ages 11 to 14 will have fun, make friends and play games in a bright, colorful hangout inspired by a chic New York City loft. Teens ages 14 to 17 will have their own dedicated club at Vibe, a stylish space inspired by a Parisian artists' loft with classic architectural elements, vibrant neon signs and funky pop art.For the first time on a Disney ship, the Disney Wish will feature a third club for tweens and teens: The Hideaway. This hip new hangout will offer older kids and young adults a chill place to relax, listen to music and more in a posh setting complete with a dance floor and DJ booth – perfect for karaoke contests and dance competitions. The Hideaway will be adorned in a vibrant color palette, retro-inspired design details, a stylized “Hiya, pal” mural and disco ball lights. Adjacent to Vibe, this flexible venue can be opened to the teen club, closed off for tween activities and even reserved especially for guests ages 18 to 20.All three spaces will be bursting with creative design details, comfortable lounge space, high-tech entertainment and a jam-packed schedule of can't-miss activities.Edge will boast an indoor solarium area with a sunny overhead skylight effect, carpet patterned with fresh grass and daisies, a back wall mural of a bright blue sky, and games inspired by a colorful outdoor city park. Throughout the space, graphic art displays called “photo walls” will provide ample opportunities for tweens to capture cool, shareable vacation pics that will be the envy of their friends back home.Vibe will feature regal French columns and paneled walls covered with whimsical pop art murals and colorful graffiti; a larger-than-life, brightly painted Mickey Mouse statue; and a traditional French Morris column plastered with Disney-inspired travel posters. Combine those with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the ocean, and every angle in Vibe will offer a selfie-worthy backdrop for the trendiest teens on the high seas.Both Edge and Vibe will offer a main lounge space with cozy furnishings, an oversized LED screen and plenty of room to hang out as a group, as well as comfortable niches for solo gaming and movie watching. Each venue will include complimentary refreshments: Edge will have a soda bar, Vibe will serve soda and coffee drinks, and The Hideaway will offer smoothies.Boom, baby! Tweens and teens are in for a whole “llama” fun during customized, counselor-led programming designed to engage their unique interests, such as a hilarious new competition themed to the fan-favorite Walt Disney Animation Studios' film, “The Emperor's New Groove.” And the fun doesn't stop there: The activities will even extend into other areas of the ship, with special events for tweens and teens hosted in Hero Zone, Luna and more.It's a Small World NurseryAs previously announced, cruisers ages 6 months to 3 years will be cared for at It's a Small World Nursery, where babysitting services will be provided in a whimsical environment inspired by the beloved Disney attraction of the same name. Here, little ones will play games, make crafts, watch movies, read books and spend time with Disney friends under the expert care of Disney-trained counselors.Maiden Voyage and Inaugural SeasonThe Disney Wish will sail its maiden voyage on June 9, 2022, followed by a season of three- and four-night cruises to Nassau, Bahamas, and Disney's private island, Castaway Cay, from Port Canaveral, Florida.And moreEthical Cruise T-Shirts Now available branded podcast t-shirts, cruise-tees and Christmas gifts or design your own in the studio. All using organic cotton, printed using green energy and plastic-free packaging! https://bit.ly/32G7RdhJoin the show:If you have a cruise tip, burning question or want to record a cruise review get in touch with us via the website https://thebigcruisepodcast.com/join-the-show/  Guests: Chris Frame: https://bit.ly/3a4aBCg    Chris's Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/ChrisFrameOfficialPeter Kollar: https://www.cruising.org.au/Home  Listen & Subscribe: Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/2XvD7tF  Castbox: https://bit.ly/2xkGBEI  Google Podcasts: https://bit.ly/2RuY04u  I heart Radio:  https://ihr.fm/3mVIEUASpotify: https://spoti.fi/3caCwl8  Stitcher: https://bit.ly/2JWE8Tz  Pocket casts: https://bit.ly/2JY4J2M  Tune in: https://bit.ly/2V0Jrrs  Podcast Addict: https://bit.ly/2BF6LnEImage Credit: P&O Australia - Flying The Flag, by Chris Frame Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Welcome to the Instant Trivia podcast episode 147, where we ask the best trivia on the Internet. Round 1. Category: Taking A "Bath" 1: It attracts feathered friends. Birdbath. 2: It's what the baby shouldn't be thrown out with. the Bathwater. 3: This vehicle can take you under the sea. Bathyscape. 4: Extreme sentimentality. Bathos. 5: It's the chemical rinse that keeps photographic film from overdeveloping. Stop bath. Round 2. Category: Odd Words 1: A person described as loquacious does this a lot. Talks. 2: Something that displays eutexia does this easily, like ice cream. Melt. 3: An opera extra, when not carrying one of these, can set it in a fewter. Spear. 4: Stipple means to draw or paint with these instead of lines; Seurat was a master. Points (Pointilism). 5: In this sport, a "firstbrun" is a jump turn at right angles. Skiing. Round 3. Category: Berkeley In The '60S 1: In October 1965 Oakland police turned back over 10,000 marchers protesting this war. Vietnam War. 2: This actor won the California governorship in 1966 using the unrest at Berkeley as a campaign issue. Ronald Reagan. 3: Mario Savio was an informal leader of the FSM, a group named for this constitutional right. Free Speech Movement. 4: It completes the protest slogan "I am a UC student: do not fold, bend or" this. Mutilate. 5: In May 1960, the San Francisco meeting of this House committee was disrupted by protesters from Berkeley. the House Un-American Activities Committee. Round 4. Category: Where The "H" Are We? 1: Parker Ranch,Kilauea Volcano,Monument to Captain Cook. Hawaii. 2: Victoria Peak,Kai Tak Airport,Kowloon Shangri-La Hotel. Hong Kong. 3: Lake Balaton,Bela Bartok Memorial House,Buda Concert Hall. Hungary. 4: Senate Square,Mannerheim Museum,Sibelius Park. Helsinki. 5: The Malecon,Morro Castle,Revolution Square. Havana. Round 5. Category: Poetry Potpourri 1: He married Minnehaha, the "Loveliest of Dacotah Women". Hiawatha. 2: Milton work that begins, "Of man's first disobedience, and the fruit of that forbidden tree...". "Paradise Lost". 3: An 8-line stanza, it's usually the first 8 lines in an Italian sonnet. Octave. 4: Secretary to the Lord Deputy of Ireland, he idealized his boss as a knight in "The Faerie Queene". Edmund Spenser. 5: She described her nervous breakdown in her 1960 poetry collection "To Bedlam and Part Way Back". Anne Sexton. Thanks for listening! Come back tomorrow for more exciting trivia!

Travels with John SmithChapter 36 year 5 (2015-2016)Winter in Wuhan-The 1st Teahouse music night-talented kids-setting it all up with Megan-Christmas concert and it’s quirks-Gabby’s Bitter Sweet-Kung Pao chicken Christmas dinner-Picnic and light show in Hong Kong-waiting in line for Victoria Peak-trams from another time-Patti’s Christmas day-back at Marco Polo Wuhan for New Years-Jz jam with a friendly Columbian singer-scary crowd at the Bund-wet seat back to Wuhan-more about Shanghai dumplings and the fake market-grateful to be working in the Library-Grateful for John-the text Teahouse and a new talent on the Erhu

Where to go when quarantine is over? How about Billy Barquedier? Or Five Blues Lake? On this episode I chat with local tour guide and proprietor of bluemorpho tours, Mr. Carlos Carvajal. I ask him for his first hand take on how the coronavirus has affected the tourism industry. We also answer the question, is Victoria Peak the highest mountain in Belize? --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/memus-fractalus/message

Welcome back. We hope you're staying healthy.This week the Nerds invited Dev-i-Boy on again. He'll be joining us for the next while.First up is a discussion about Indiana Jones 5. Can Indy swing himself back into relevance for a new generation? Not if COVID-19 has anything to say about it. Indiana Jones 5 has been pushed back again due to the pandemic. The Nerds are hoping Actual Cannibal Shia LaBeouf doesn't make another appearance as Indy's son, but we'd be ok with him appearing as a cannibal tribesman. This of course leads into a discussion on Disney's other properties, including the notorious Pirates of the Caribbean and Jungle Cruise. This looks like a rough year for Disney.Dev-i-Boy has heard that Russians are behind everyone's favourite YouTube channel, Five Minute Crafts. In a story reminiscent of bad Cold War fiction, Russian propaganda is slipped into innocuous seeming YouTube videos. Now we just need a team of teenagers to sneak into the secret Russian video studio lab and uncover their plot.Activision has pulled off a major win in court against the maker of the Humvee. Modern warfare needs modern weapons, and the US courts have ruled in favour of realism over licensing fees. Finally, DJ and Dev-i-Boy can't handle the knowledge. An Australian lizard joins the tiny group of reptiles that both lay eggs and give live birth. This revelation is too much for them to handle though, so we move on to the games of the week.Professor and DJ play Generation Zero, a game about Swedish battle mechs and robot dogs that want to kill you. It's buggy, but generally a good experience. Dev-i played LoZ: Wind Waker again but breaks into a new dimension in VR Chat. Of course, he picked an anime girl avatar. Of course.On to the usual shoutouts and remembrances, and DJ refuses to wrap up the show by performing Waterloo. Maybe next week.Stay safe, and we'll see you all next week.Indiana Jones 5 -https://www.empireonline.com/movies/news/indiana-jones-2022/YouTube viral video debunked - https://www.cheatsheet.com/entertainment/how-to-cook-that-creator-ann-reardon-is-debunking-viral-youtube-videos.html/ Call of Duty lawsuit win -https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/thr-esq/call-duty-wins-first-amendment-victory-use-humvees-1287882A lizard can now lay eggs and give live birth -https://theconversation.com/this-lizard-lays-eggs-and-gives-live-birth-we-think-its-undergoing-a-major-evolutionary-transition-133630 - https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/mec.15409 Games PlayedProfessor– Generation Zero - https://store.steampowered.com/app/704270/Generation_Zero/Rating : 5/5DJ– Generation Zero - https://store.steampowered.com/app/704270/Generation_Zero/Rating : 4.5/5Dev-i-Boy - The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Legend_of_Zelda:_The_Wind_WakerRating – 5/5- VR Chat - https://store.steampowered.com/app/438100/VRChat/Rating – 3/5Other topics discussedIndiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull (2008 American action-adventure film directed by Steven Spielberg and the fourth installment in the Indiana Jones series.)- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indiana_Jones_and_the_Kingdom_of_the_Crystal_SkullThe timeline of the Indiana Jones films is the chronological order of The Adventures of Young Indiana Jones and the film series.- https://indianajones.fandom.com/wiki/Timeline_of_filmsTransformers film series (Transformers is a series of American science fiction action films based on the Transformers franchise which began in the 1980s. Michael Bay has directed the first five films.)- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Transformers_(film_series)Harrison Ford survives plane crash - https://money.cnn.com/2017/02/14/news/harrison-ford-plane-mishap/index.htmlDisney’s Artemis Fowl Official Trailer - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fl2r3Fwxz_oJungle Cruise (The Jungle Cruise is a river boat attraction located in Adventureland at many Disney Parks worldwide, namely Disneyland, Magic Kingdom,Tokyo Disneyland and Hong Kong Disneyland. For years, Walt Disney Pictures had been toying with the idea of turning the Jungle Cruise into a full-length action adventure motion picture, which it would be loosely inspired by the theme park attraction of the same name.)- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jungle_CruiseBruckheimer is very frank about how he almost passed on the project, which is based on the famous Disney theme park ride.- https://web.archive.org/web/20080102184110/http://uk.movies.ign.com/articles/425/425848p1.htmlPirates of the Caribbean 6th movie- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pirates_of_the_Caribbean_(film_series)#Sixth_film How to Cook That (Youtube channel by Ann Reardon)- https://www.youtube.com/user/howtocookthat/videosDebunking Fake Videos & WHO'S behind 5-min crafts? | How To Cook That Ann Reardon- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pvqa8dsBtno Lonelygirl15 (lonelygirl15, the first of many shows within the fictional LG15 Universe, tells the ongoing story of a group of young adults fighting against a mysterious secret society called, The Order.)- https://www.youtube.com/user/lonelygirl15Sex-workers - idubbbz complains by iDubbbzTV- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mQLzOuwDu_8Elsagate (neologism referring to the controversy surrounding videos on YouTube and YouTube Kids that are categorized as "child-friendly", but which contain themes that are inappropriate for children.)- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ElsagateThe FTC action against YouTube and Google- https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/blogs/business-blog/2019/11/youtube-channel-owners-your-content-directed-children Why Youtube doesn’t make any profit - https://www.cbsnews.com/news/4-reasons-youtube-still-doesnt-make-a-profit/ The Simpson – Lionel Hutz vs 10 high priced lawyers - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o3hhAH4mlQk Donald Trump Violated First Amendment by Blocking Critics on Twitter- https://variety.com/2020/digital/news/donald-trump-violated-first-amendment-twitter-blocking-1203542245/ Temperature-dependent sex determination (a type of environmental sex determination in which the temperatures experienced during embryonic/larval development determine the sex of the offspring.)- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Temperature-dependent_sex_determinationDogs (Dogs are autonomous robotic quadrupeds, equipped with a series of lethal weapons.)- https://black-mirror.fandom.com/wiki/DogsBoston Dynamics : Spot - https://robots.ieee.org/robots/spotmini/Japanese students hold graduation ceremony in Minecraft amid school cancellation- https://soranews24.com/2020/03/15/japanese-students-hold-graduation-ceremony-in-minecraft-amid-school-cancellation/Katie Bouman: The woman behind the first black hole image- https://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-47891902 Systers (founded by Anita Borg, is an international electronic mailing list for technical women in computing.)- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SystersThe Eleventh Hour (The Eleventh Hour: A Curious Mystery is an illustrated children's book by Graeme Base.)- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Eleventh_Hour_(children%27s_book)Hareraiser (video game released in 1984 in the UK in two parts: Prelude and Finale, comedian and computer game historian Stuart Ashen described and showed the game play, and called it "quite possibly the worst video game ever.)- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HareraiserAnimalia (an animated children's television series based on the 1986 picture book of the same name by illustrator Graeme Base.)- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Animalia_(TV_series) The story behind Jackie Chan’s stunt in Police Story which involved slides several stories down a pole strung with lights, electricity arcing around him as he crashes through multiple panes of glass into a shop stall.- https://observer.com/2019/01/how-jackie-chan-police-story-stunts-changed-movies/Jackie Chan further explains the stunt in Police Story- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2ZEVz1V-X4w Waterloo ("Waterloo" is the first single from the Swedish pop group ABBA's second album, Waterloo and their first under the Epic and Atlantic labels.- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Waterloo_(ABBA_song) That’s Not COVID (TNC Podcast)- https://thatsnotcanon.com/thatsnotcovidpodcast Shout Outs 5 April 2020 - Shirley Douglas, actress and mother of Kiefer Sutherland dies at 86 - https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/shirley-douglas-dead-actress-mother-kiefer-sutherland-was-86-1288624Shirley Douglas, an actress in films directed by Stanley Kubrick and David Cronenberg and the mother of actor Kiefer Sutherland. Douglas appeared in Kubrick's Lolita (1962) and Cronenberg's Dead Ringers (1988) and in other movies including Shadow Dancing (1988) and Wind at My Back (1996). In 2003, for her contributions to the performing arts, she was named an Officer of the Order of Canada. Sutherland announced his mother's death on Twitter, saying "My mother was an extraordinary woman who led an extraordinary life," Sutherland wrote. "Sadly she had been battling for her health for quite some time and we, as a family, knew this day was coming. To any families who have lost loved ones unexpectedly to the coronavirus, my heart breaks for you. Please stay safe." She died of complications surrounding pneumonia at the age of 86 in Toronto,Ontario. His son noted her passing was not related to COVID-19. 5 April 2020 – Anime ending this week 10 years ago according to Japanese netizens - https://soranews24.com/2020/04/05/whered-the-time-go-top-anime-series-that-finished-ten-years-ago-ranked-by-japanese-netizens/Here’s the top ten of this decade-old anime! Which ones have you watched recently?10. Kuroshitsuji II9. Durarara!!8. A Certain Scientific Railgun7. Nodame Cantabile Finale6. HeartCatch PreCure!5. Fullmetal Alchemist4. K-On!!3. Inuyasha: The Final Act2. Animal Detective Kiruminzoo1. Hidamari Sketch×☆☆☆6 April 2020 - ‘Jaws’ actress Lee Fierro dead at 91 from coronavirus complications - https://nypost.com/2020/04/06/jaws-actress-lee-fierro-dead-at-91-with-coronavirus-complications/Lee Fierro, best known as Alex Kintner’s mom in Steven Spielberg’s 1975 shark attack classic “Jaws,” In her iconic scene from “Jaws,” an enraged Fierro confronts Chief Martin Brody (Roy Scheider) and slaps him in the face. “I just found out that a girl got killed here last week and you knew, you knew there was a shark out there. You knew it was dangerous, but you let people go swimming anyway,” her character says, sobbing. “You knew all those things and still my boy is dead now, and there’s nothing you can do about it. My boy is dead.” Fierro reportedly had "objected to the profanity" of the scene's dialogue as originally drafted, and the director, Steven Spielberg, wanted dialogue that accorded with Fierro's "everywoman looks," so the scene's dialogue was rewritten the day before it was filmed. Fierro went on to reprise her role in 1987’s subpar “Jaws: The Revenge” opposite Michael Caine. She died from COVID-19 at the age of 91. Remembrances6 April 1520 – Raphael - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Raphael Raffaello Sanzio da Urbino, Italian painter and architect of the High Renaissance. His work is admired for its clarity of form, ease of composition, and visual achievement of the Neoplatonic ideal of human grandeur. Together with Michelangelo and Leonardo da Vinci, he forms the traditional trinity of great masters of that period. Many of his works are found in the Vatican Palace, where the frescoed Raphael Rooms were the central, and the largest, work of his career. The best known work is The School of Athens in the Vatican Stanza della Segnatura. After his early years in Rome, much of his work was executed by his workshop from his drawings, with considerable loss of quality. He was extremely influential in his lifetime, though outside Rome his work was mostly known from his collaborative printmaking. His career falls naturally into three phases and three styles, first described by Giorgio Vasari: his early years in Umbria, then a period of about four years (1504–1508) absorbing the artistic traditions of Florence, followed by his last hectic and triumphant twelve years in Rome, working for two Popes and their close associates. He died from fever at the age of 37 in Rome, Papal States.6 April 1944 - Rose O'Neill - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rose_O%27NeillRose Cecil O'Neill, American cartoonist, illustrator, artist, and writer. She built a successful career as a magazine and book illustrator and, at a young age, became the best-known and highest- paid female commercial illustrator in the United States. O' Neill earned a fortune and international fame by creating the Kewpie, the most widely known cartoon character until Mickey Mouse. Her Kewpie cartoons, which made their debut in a 1909 issue of Ladies' Home Journal, were later manufactured as bisque dolls in 1912 by J. D. Kestner, a German toy company, followed by composition material and celluloid versions. The dolls were wildly popular in the early twentieth century and are considered to be one of the first mass-marketed toys in the United States. Their name, "Kewpie", derives from Cupid, the Roman god of love. According to O'Neill, she became obsessed with the idea of the cherubic characters, to the point that she had dreams about them: "I thought about the Kewpies so much that I had a dream about them where they were all doing acrobatic pranks on the coverlet of my bed. One sat in my hand." She described them as "a sort of little round fairy whose one idea is to teach people to be merry and kind at the same time". O'Neill also wrote several novels and books of poetry, and was active in the women's suffrage movement. She was for a time the highest-paid female illustrator in the world upon the success of the Kewpie dolls. She died from heart failure at the age of 69 in Springfield, Missouri. 6 April 2003 - Anita Borg - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anita_Borg American computer scientist. She founded the Institute for Women and Technology and the Grace Hopper Celebration of Women in Computing. In 1997, Borg founded the Institute for Women and Technology (now the Anita Borg Institute for Women and Technology). Two important goals behind the founding of the organization were to increase the representation of women in technical fields and to enable the creation of more technology by women. The Institute was created to be an experimental R&D organization focusing on increasing the impact of women on technology and increasing the impact of technology on the world's women. It ran a variety of programs to increase the role of technology, build the pipeline of technical women, and ensure that women's voices affected technological developments. Borg passionately believed in working for greater representation of technical women. Her goal was to have 50% representation for women in computing by 2020. She strove for technical fields to be places where women would be equally represented at all levels of the pipeline, and where women could impact, and benefit from, technology. She died from a brain tumour at the age of 54 in Sonoma, California. Famous Birthdays6 April 1958 - Graeme Base - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Graeme_BaseAuthor and artist of picture books. He is perhaps best known for his second book, Animalia published in 1986, and third book The Eleventh Hour which was released in 1989. He worked in advertising for two years and then began illustrating children's books, gradually moving to authoring them as well. His first book, My Grandma lived in Gooligulch, was accepted by the first publisher he sent it to. He was born in Amersham, Buckinghamshire. 6 April 1975 - Zach Braff - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zach_BraffAmerican actor, director, screenwriter and producer. He is best known for his role as J. D. on the television series Scrubs, for which he was nominated for the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series in 2005 and for three Golden Globe Awards from 2005 to 2007. He starred in The Broken Hearts Club: A Romantic Comedy, In Dubious Battle, and has done voice-work for Chicken Little, Oz the Great and Powerful, and the Netflix series Bojack Horseman. In 2004, Braff made his directorial debut with Garden State, which he also wrote, starred in, and compiled the soundtrack album for. He shot the film in his home state of New Jersey for a budget of $2.5 million. The film made over $35 million at the box office and was praised by critics, leading it to gain a cult following. He won numerous awards for his directing work and also won the Grammy Award for Best Soundtrack Album in 2005. Braff directed his second film, Wish I Was Here, which he partially funded with a Kickstarter campaign. He was born in South Orange, New Jersey. 7 April 1954 - Jackie Chan - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jackie_ChanChan Kong-sang, known professionally as Jackie Chan, is a Hong Kongese martial artist, actor, film director, producer, stuntman, and singer. He is known in the cinematic world for his acrobatic fighting style, comic timing, use of improvised weapons, and innovative stunts, which he typically performs himself. He has trained in Wushu or Kung Fu and Hapkido, and has been acting since the 1960s, appearing in over 150 films. Chan is one of the most recognisable and influential cinematic personalities in the world, gaining a widespread following in both the Eastern and Western hemispheres, and has received stars on the Hong Kong Avenue of Stars and the Hollywood Walk of Fame. He has been referenced in various pop songs, cartoons, and video games. He is an operatically trained vocalist and is also a Cantopop and Mandopop star, having released a number of albums and sung many of the theme songs for the films in which he has starred. He is also a globally known philanthropist and has been named as one of the top 10 most charitable celebrities by Forbes magazine. In 2004, film scholar Andrew Willis stated that Chan was "perhaps" the "most recognised star in the world". In 2015, Forbes estimated his net worth to be $350 million, and as of 2016, he was the second-highest paid actor in the world. He was born in Victoria Peak. 7 April 1964 - Russell Crowe - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Russell_CroweRussell Ira Crowe actor, film producer and musician. Although a New Zealand citizen, he has lived most of his life in Australia. He came to international attention for his role as the Roman General Maximus Decimus Meridius in the historical film Gladiator, directed by Ridley Scott, for which Crowe won an Academy Award, a Broadcast Film Critics Association Award, an Empire Award, and a London Film Critics Circle Award for best actor, along with ten other nominations in the same category. Crowe's other award-winning performances include portrayals of tobacco firm whistle-blower Jeffrey Wigand in the drama film The Insider, and John F. Nash in the biopic A Beautiful Mind. Crowe's other films include, L.A. Confidential, Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World, Cinderella Man, 3:10 to Yuma, American Gangster, State of Play, Robin Hood, Les Misérables, Man of Steel, Noah, and The Nice Guys. In 2015, Crowe made his directorial debut with The Water Diviner, in which he also starred. Crowe's work has earned him several accolades during his career, including a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, one Golden Globe Award for Best Actor, one BAFTA and one Academy Award out of three consecutive nominations (1999, 2000, and 2001). Crowe has also been the co-owner of the National Rugby League (NRL) team South Sydney Rabbitohs since 2006. He was born in Wellington. Events of Interest 6 April 1896 – In Athens, the opening of the first modern Olympic Games is celebrated, 1,500 years after the original games are banned by Roman emperor Theodosius I. - https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/first-modern-olympic-gamesOn April 6, 1896, the Olympic Games, a long-lost tradition of ancient Greece, are reborn in Athens 1,500 years after being banned by Roman Emperor Theodosius I. At the opening of the Athens Games, King Georgios I of Greece and a crowd of 60,000 spectators welcomed athletes from 13 nations to the international competition. In Athens, 280 participants from 13 nations competed in 43 events, covering track-and-field, swimming, gymnastics, cycling, wrestling, weightlifting, fencing, shooting, and tennis. All the competitors were men, and a few of the entrants were tourists who stumbled upon the Games and could sign up. The track-and-field events were held at the Panathenaic Stadium, which was originally built in 330 B.C. and restored for the 1896 Games. Americans won nine out of 12 of these events. The 1896 Olympics also featured the first marathon competition, which followed the 25-mile route run by a Greek soldier who brought news of a victory over the Persians from Marathon to Athens in 490 B.C. In 1924, the marathon was standardized at 26 miles and 385 yards. Appropriately, a Greek, Spyridon Louis, won the first marathon at the 1896 Athens Games.6 April 1909 - Robert Peary and Matthew Henson become the first people to reach the North Pole; Peary's claim has been disputed because of failings in his navigational ability. - https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/pearys-expedition-reaches-north-poleOn April 6, 1909, American explorer Robert Peary accomplishes a long elusive dream, when he, assistant Matthew Henson and four Eskimos reach what they determine to be the North Pole. Decades after Peary’s death, however, navigational errors in his travel log surfaced, placing the expedition in all probability a few miles short of its goal. In 1908, the pair travelled to Ellesmere Island by ship and in 1909 raced across hundreds of miles of ice to reach what they calculated as latitude 90 degrees north on April 6, 1909. Although their achievement was widely acclaimed, Dr. Frederick A. Cook challenged their distinction of being the first to reach the North Pole. A former associate of Peary, Cook claimed he had already reached the pole by dogsled the previous year. A major controversy followed, and in 1911 the U.S. Congress formally recognized Peary’s claim. In recent years, further studies of the conflicting claims suggest that neither expedition reached the exact North Pole, but that Peary and Henson came far closer, falling perhaps 30 miles short. On May 3, 1952, U.S. Lieutenant Colonel Joseph O. Fletcher of Oklahoma stepped out of a plane and walked to the precise location of the North Pole, the first person to undisputedly do so.6 April 1917 - Americans declares war on Germany - https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/america-enters-world-war-iTwo days after the U.S. Senate voted 82 to 6 to declare war against Germany, the U.S. House of Representatives endorses the declaration by a vote of 373 to 50, and America formally enters World War I. Apart from an Anglophile element urging early support for the British and an anti-Tsarist element sympathising with Germany's war against Russia, US public opinion reflected that of the president: the sentiment for neutrality was particularly strong among Irish Americans, German Americans, and Scandinavian Americans, as well as among church leaders and among women in general. On the other hand, even before World War I had broken out, American opinion had been overall more negative toward Germany than toward any other country in Europe. Over time, especially after reports of atrocities in Belgium in 1914 and following the sinking of the passenger liner RMS Lusitania in 1915, American citizens increasingly came to see Germany as the aggressor in Europe. While the country was at peace, American banks made huge loans to Britain and France, which were used mainly to buy munitions, raw materials, and food from across the Atlantic. Wilson made minimal preparations for a land war but he did authorise a major ship-building program for the United States Navy. The president was narrowly re-elected in 1916 on an anti-war ticket.6 April 1974 - The Swedish pop band ABBA wins the Eurovision Song Contest with the song "Waterloo", launching their international career. - https://www.mylifetime.com/she-did-that/april-6-1974-abba-won-the-eurovision-song-contest-for-waterloo-launching-their-international-careerSongwriters and musicians Ulvaeus and Andersson first met in 1966. However, it was in 1969 when the seeds of the soon-to-be Swedish supergroup were planted when Björn met his fiancée, Fältskog, and Benny met his fiancée, Lyngstad. Ulvaeus and Andersson knew how to write contagious pop hits. However, Fältskog and Lyngstad’s beautiful harmonies were integral to the global chart-topping ABBA sound. After “Waterloo” won the 19th edition of the Eurovision song competition, the winning tune reached the No. 1 spot on the UK chart and became a top ten hit in the US on the Billboard Hot 100. “Waterloo” sold six million copies worldwide, making it one of the best-selling singles of all time.Follow us on Facebook - Page - https://www.facebook.com/NerdsAmalgamated/ - Group - https://www.facebook.com/groups/440485136816406/ Twitter - https://twitter.com/NAmalgamated Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/6Nux69rftdBeeEXwD8GXrS iTunes - https://itunes.apple.com/au/podcast/top-shelf-nerds/id1347661094 RSS - http://www.thatsnotcanonproductions.com/topshelfnerdspodcast?format=rssInstagram - https://www.instagram.com/nerds_amalgamated/General Enquiries Email - Nerds.Amalgamated@gmail.comRate & Review us on Podchaser - https://www.podchaser.com/podcasts/nerds-amalgamated-623195

Como pudieron escuchar, Hong Kong no estaba en mis planes. Originalmente iría a Singapur y de ahí brincaría a China continental, pero al final hubo un cambio de itinerario y el resto es historia. Hong Kong fue el inicio ideal en mi ilusión por comprender la historia de una cultura milenaria. Desde que aterrizamos, los contrastes de esta ciudad me cautivaron, alimentando mi inquietud por conocer más sobre sus raíces y tradiciones. Al final, lo único que me deslumbró más que su historia fueron sus luces. Ya fuera en Victoria Peak, Disneyland o el Gran Buda, cada esquina de Hong Kong es impresionante y asombrosa. La seguridad se respira y la capacidad económica no intenta esconderse. Las personas son amables y educadas, demostrándose consideradas hacia el turista y dejando en claro que la hospitalidad es parte de la cultura.

Como pudieron escuchar, Hong Kong no estaba en mis planes. Originalmente iría a Singapur y de ahí brincaría a China continental, pero al final hubo un cambio de itinerario y el resto es historia. Hong Kong fue el inicio ideal en mi ilusión por comprender la historia de una cultura milenaria. Desde que aterrizamos, los contrastes de esta ciudad me cautivaron, alimentando mi inquietud por conocer más sobre sus raíces y tradiciones. Al final, lo único que me deslumbró más que su historia fueron sus luces. Ya fuera en Victoria Peak, Disneyland o el Gran Buda, cada esquina de Hong Kong es impresionante y asombrosa. La seguridad se respira y la capacidad económica no intenta esconderse. Las personas son amables y educadas, demostrándose consideradas hacia el turista y dejando en claro que la hospitalidad es parte de la cultura.

Megacity & Weltstadt Hongkong. Die längste Rolltreppe der Welt, die höchste Bar, die höchsten Mieten, die meisten Rolls-Royce, die längste Seebrücke. Doppelt so viele Hochhäuser wie in New York. Wir könnten ewig so weitermachen. Wir beschränken uns allerdings in der neuen Folge vom Reisepodcast lieber auf die einfachen Dinge der Megacity und reden über die Gegensätze von Hongkong. Nutzt einen Stop-over auf eurer Reise am Flughafen, um schnell ins Stadtzentrum zu düsen. Einen atemberaubenden Blick vom Victoria Peak zu werfen und köstliche Dim Sum zu probieren. Wer eine Nacht blieben will, darf sich auf winzige Hotelzimmer und wunderbare Nachtmärkte freuen.Alle weiteren Infos zu Hongkong und der Folge findet ihr unter https://der-reisepodcast.de/asien/hongkong-podcast/ See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

My tour of Asia wouldn't be complete without a stop in Hong Kong filled with skyscrapers that will have you looking up for days!!! I love this urban center with its great shopping, and of course, food! The Dim Sum was some of the best I've ever had! From the high-speed rail system to Victoria Peak, this colony […]

My tour of Asia wouldn't be complete without a stop in Hong Kong filled with skyscrapers that will have you looking up for days!!! I love this urban center with its great shopping, and of course, food! The Dim Sum was some of the best I've ever had! From the high-speed rail system to Victoria Peak, this colony […]

My tour of Asia wouldn’t be complete without a stop in Hong Kong filled with skyscrapers that will have you looking up for days!!! I love this urban center with its great shopping, and of course, food! The Dim Sum was some of the best I’ve ever had! From the high-speed rail system to Victoria Peak, this colony […]

El podcast de viaje se traslada 2087 km de Seúl a Hong Kong, la tierra prometida del Dim Sum. O una de ellas… pero ¡hey! Nunca estuvimos tan cerca de China. Y lo aprovechamos al máximo. Anduvimos por una góndola a cientos de metros del suelo, subimos 260 escalones para conocer a un Buda enorme, probamos Xiao Long Bao de trufas, queso, y amor. Y por supuesto - te lo contamos todo en este episodio de #EnModoAvión. **Glosario #EnModoAvión** * Capítulo de Parts Unknown s11e05. Imprescindible verlo antes de visitar Hong Kong. * Para visitar HK no necesitás visa. * Mid/Central Escalators hasta Hong Kong Station. * Victoria Peak y la fila infinita. En cambio podés tomarte el 15. * Mainland: Tsim Sha Tsui. Avenue of the Stars. Kowloon Park. * Goldfish market y Temple Street Market. * MOKO mall. * PMQ - centro de diseño. * Para salir de joda: Zona Lan Kwai Fong. * Comidas: Kim’s Roast Goose. Dim Sum con estrella michelin: Din Tai Fung, Tim Ho Wan. También Ding Dim, Shanghai Lane, Dim Sum Square, Crystal Jade. * Movida copada de cafés: NOC, Hazel & Hershey, Elephant Ground. * Day Trip: Gran Buda de Tian Tan. Cable car. Pueblo pesquero Tai O. —————— #viajeros #podcast #podcasteros #podcastdeviaje #podcastenespañol #turistas #nomadasdigitales #digitalnomad #viajeroslatinos #argentinosporelmundo #wanderlust #ondemand #podcasting #HK #HongKong #DimSum

In the first episode of the destination in review series I will start with my favorite destination so far...Hong Kong! From the spotless subway line to the beautiful hike up to Victoria Peak, Hong Kong has a bit of something for every type of traveler.

On episode 76 (March 21, 2017) of the TDRNow Podcast, Chris talks all about his winter trip to Hong Kong Disneyland , as part of his China Disney trip! Also a bit of an overview of Ocean Park and Victoria Peak in Hong Kong. If you’re planning a trip to Hong Kong Disneyland, then you don’t want to miss this episode. Our Patreon is now live, show your support for the podcast by contributing and get some fun rewards! Thank you so much for listening and remember to rate us on iTunes and Stitcher! Hosted by Trish and Chris. Find us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, iTunes, Stitcher, Player FM, and Google Play Music! Download our Wait Time App. Support the podcast by contributing to us on Patreon! Also considering buying your Park Tickets or other activities in Japan from our affiliate Klook. Links to Klook are affiliate links and we receive a commission for any ticket purchases. Read our advertising disclosure for more information. The post Hong Kong Disneyland Winter Trip Report – Episode 76 appeared first on TDR Explorer.

On episode 76 (March 21, 2017) of the TDRNow Podcast, Chris talks all about his winter trip to Hong Kong Disneyland ??, as part of his China Disney trip! Also a bit of an overview of Ocean Park and Victoria Peak in Hong Kong. If you’re planning a trip to Hong Kong Disneyland, then you don’t want to miss this episode. Our Patreon is now live, show your support for the podcast by contributing and get some fun rewards! Thank you so much for listening and remember to rate us on iTunes and Stitcher! Hosted by Trish and Chris. Find us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, iTunes, Stitcher, Player FM, and Google Play Music! Download our Wait Time App. Support the podcast by contributing to us on Patreon! Also considering buying your Park Tickets or other activities in Japan from our affiliate Klook. Links to Klook are affiliate links and we receive a commission for any ticket purchases. Read our advertising disclosure for more information. The post Hong Kong Disneyland Winter Trip Report – Episode 76 appeared first on TDR Explorer.

Michelle and I met up our friends from Guadalajara Mexico (Pepe, Alondra, Vicky and Christian) to check out the beautiful city of Hong Kong! We Shot this video for 2 days last in 2014!  We had so much fun going around Hong Kong! On the first day we (Pepe, Alondra, Michelle and I) bought 4 tickets for "the Big Bus Tour" which took us to all the cool places in Hong Kong! The cool part about the Big Bus Tour was that you can hop on and hop off the bus and spend as much time as you want in each location! The Next day we checked out the "Big Buddha" which took a few hours overall. On the way over there, we got to go on a Tram with a glass floor which was crazy! Michelle at one point started freaking out (seen in the video mark 3:00). Later on that day, we met up with our other friends Vicky and Christian where we had dinner in Bubba Gump at the top of Victoria Peak! Music by the Jet "Are you Gonna Be My Girl!"

Why Asia’s World City might just be the perfect vacation destination for you!

Why Asia’s World City might just be the perfect vacation destination for you!